Fostering Hope: Restoring Family After Loss
Story from Thailand, 2025
With The Hope Effect
When two young siblings in Thailand suddenly lost their mother, their world was shattered. With no immediate relatives to step in, their future hung in the balance. Local organizations rushed to offer solutions, some ready and eager to place the children in a dormitory, while others proposed informal care arrangements. But GCA’s team took a different approach.
Rather than accepting a quick fix, we prioritized the children’s long-term well-being. Our staff visited the family, provided emergency support, and began a thoughtful process to assess their true needs. We listened to the children, spoke with their stepfather, and committed to finding the best solution, one that preserved their sense of safety, dignity, and belonging.
There is no quick fix, but the right solution is worth waiting and planning for.
After months of monitoring and careful planning, we identified a woman from the children’s school community who had a personal connection with the children and was willing to become a foster parent. With proper assessment and support, she welcomed them into her home, offering not just shelter, but stability and love.
Meanwhile, our team worked diligently to trace extended family across the border in Myanmar. Although kinship care wasn’t possible, the children were able to reconnect with relatives, restoring a vital sense of identity and family history.
With their foster mother and teachers, the children began to thrive. They received the care, education, and emotional support they needed to heal. One major hurdle remained: the children lacked legal documentation. Thanks to collaboration with the local school, both children secured 10-year identification cards, unlocking access to services and a future filled with opportunity.
Today, the children are safe, settled, and surrounded by people who love them. One has even become a standout student at school, making his teachers and the community proud.
This story reflects the heart of GCA’s mission: ensuring that no child loses the warmth of family, even in crisis. Because of your support, children like these don’t fall through the cracks, they find protection, permanency, and the chance to thrive.