In Her Own Words...

Karishma

Age: 8

Location: North India

I was born into a Christian family in a small village in northern India as the oldest of three kids. My dad works very hard and was hired by a rich man to farm his fields, but he did not pay dad enough to provide for our family's needs.

My dad's greatest hope is to see his kids happy, getting a good education, and experiencing the best life has to offer. But none of those dreams were possible. He had to use all the money he made just to feed us, and there wasn't enough money left over for school. This made him very discouraged not to be able to offer us a better life; because in his heart he would do anything he could for us.

Over time, dad only continued to get more sad, especially during wintertime when he couldn't even provide a blanket for us as we slept on the cold floors. Ashamed that he couldn't take care of us properly, he began to look for a children's home to put us in. He even prayed to God to help his kids that they may have a chance at a better future.

It was then by God's grace that a man came and told us about a Hopegivers'-sponsored orphanage, and immediately dad brought us here. I've been so happy since I got here. I now have many friends and I love them so much. I also get the opportunity to go to school and I'm a very good student.

I'm so thankful to God for bringing me to the Hope Home where the loving adults have taught me to live by the principle, "When your world is falling apart, trust Jesus to hold it together." Now I know that, whenever my life is broken apart, God is the only One who can (and did) bring it back together. He loves me and He is the One who brought my life and dreams back.

"I'm so thankful to God for bringing me to the Hope Home."

Now I have plenty of food, clothes, and loving people in my life. The orphanage "parents" here love me like I'm one of their own children and I feel completely cared for. I never imagined that I would find someone who loves me as much as my own mother, but that's how I feel. I'm so thankful to everyone who made it possible for me to stay at this Hope Home.