Many people around the world are searching for hope. Hope gives us the will to live, to love, to not give up. It can bind us to humanity and give us that driving power inside to keep moving forward.
When we think of people in need of hope, children may not be the first ones who come to mind, but they can be the ones who need hope the most. Stefan is only 10 years old, but he knows what it feels like to be without hope. Living in a small village in Moldova, he was abandoned by his mother, who left him to live another life. His father, though still in the village, suffers from alcohol addiction and isn’t able to provide stability.
Stefan’s grandparents opened their doors to him, and shortly after he began living with them, he was invited to Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding program at the local church in his village. When he first started to attend, Stefan was closed off to anyone who wanted to interact with him. He was having behavioral issues at school and showed contempt at the program.
But Stefan was receiving hot, nutritious meals every day, so he kept showing up. Day by day, his attitude slowly began to change. Not only was he receiving daily nutrition, he was also receiving love from the volunteers and help with his schoolwork.
“Thanks to Convoy of Hope’s programming, Stefan wants to live a healthy life, with a violence- and alcohol-free future ahead. Most importantly, Stefan feels safe at the program,” said Pastor Victor, pastor of the local church that hosts the program.
Hope becomes more tangible when kids have full stomachs, encounter love, and experience safety. Convoy of Hope aims to ensure that children around the world are exposed to things beyond the hardship they find themselves in. Hope can be within a child’s grasp — all it takes is willing hearts and one program at a time.
