By Erin Foley | Communications & Media
Five years ago, Children In Families (CIF) enrolled Ratha*’s family in our FOR-1 program when a local church shared that his struggling, widowed mother needed support and guidance. The church and village leaders were concerned because they often heard her screaming at her children. Additionally, the boys did not attend school regularly.
After an assessment, it was clear she was overwhelmed. Her grief and other problems left her with little energy to parent or work. This compounded the issues of caring for her boys, who ran wild and were experiencing their own grief.
As our social workers listened to her problems and helped her gain perspective on her strengths, they taught her healthier forms of discipline and boundaries with her children. Receiving a monthly stipend lifted her financial burden, making it easier for her to return to work since she had hope for the future. Just having others walk alongside her gave her greater capacity.
For several years with CIF support, Ratha's mother diligently worked at the garment factory, but her long hours took her away from home for much of the day. So, in 2023, she asked CIF to help her start a small grocery and drink shop at her home. In the past, she had experience running a store and understood profit margins and saving.
CIF gladly gave her a few hundred dollars in seed money, having seen the growth in her work ethic and parenting. Soon her business was earning a profit and she found other ways, like saving recycling, to earn more income.
Ratha’s been doing well at school and teachers say he is well-behaved. The local leader lives nearby and continues to monitor the family. He said, “What I am happy about the most is that - before the mother frequently committed violence and scolded the children loudly – but she has changed now. She no longer does that but replaced it [yelling] with good words and encouragement for the children.”
As CIF prepares to close the family’s case because they are doing well, Ratha’s mother shared, “I absolutely see changes in our family since we have CIF working with us. Before, we faced food shortages and lived in poor conditions… I was disappointed, hopeless in life, and nearly committed suicide because I was not able to feed or get my children medical treatment when they were sick. [CIF’s support] released my big burden during difficult circumstances.”
Because of donors like you, families like Ratha’s can have hope for a future and healthy means to parent and earn income. Thank you for your support of our work!
By Erin Foley | Communications and Media
By Lisa Yunker | Technical Advisor
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