Leo & Jacob

MONTH OF BIRTH: Oct. 2013

Leo is 7 years old now. He used to live with his father, mother, and brother. Although the family was not rich, it was complete and happy. On July 25, 2020, Leo’s mother suddenly got sick and died unexpectedly the next day. Leo’s father was born deaf, has mental illness and also has a disability in his right hand and arm. In the summer, he usually finds some side jobs on the construction site and earns a meager income. Even these kinds of jobs are not easy to find. In the winter, life is more miserable because there is no job at all. The family now lives on little money father saved in the summer. Leo and his younger brother are cared by their aunt. His uncle is also disabled, and everyone live in a rented room. Life is very difficult.

Leo is healthy, cheerful and lively. He studies very hard at school and loves to help teachers and classmates. He has good grades and good character, too. He sure is a very lovely boy. When we first visited him, he said, “I am eager to live, I am eager to go to school, I am eager to be loved!” His words touched everyone.

MONTH OF BIRTH: Nov. 2016

Jacob is 4 years old now. He used to live with his father, mother, and brother. Although the family was not rich, it was complete and happy. On July 25, 2020, Jacob’s mother suddenly got sick and died unexpectedly the next day. Jacob’s father was born deaf, has a mental illness and has a disability in his right hand and arm. In the summer, he usually finds some side jobs on the construction site and earns a meager income. Even these kinds of jobs are not easy to find. In the winter, life is more miserable because there is no job at all. The family now lives on little money he saved in the summer. Jacob and his brother are cared by their aunt. Their uncle-in-law is also disabled. The entire family all live in one rented room. Life is very difficult.

Jacob is healthy, smart, and cheerful. He is a good boy, with an obedient and sensitive heart. He can make everyone happy!

MONTH OF BIRTH: Jan.  2001

Liz and her younger brother, Silas, lived a happy life until both of their parents were killed in a car accident on January 5, 2012. The children were sent to live with a disabled uncle who had no source of income. They were only there for a short time before being brought into our care.

On March 14 of that same year, Liz and Silas were welcomed to our Fangshan Training Center. Being the protective older sister, Liz was a little hesitant at first. Of course, she eventually relaxed and learned to love her new brothers and sisters. She respects her house parents and is very independent.

Liz is a diligent student and manages her study time well. This will help her tremendously as she enters high school next semester. She will be in 10th grade. In her free time, Liz loves to retell fairy tales or other stories she’s heard and she’s known to do this in a very animated fashion. Sometimes she’ll even make up her own stories and tell them with great enthusiasm. Outside of her passion for storytelling, Liz is a timid but sweet young lady with a heart to help others. 

Now she is a junior in college and we are so proud of her and look forward to witnessing her accomplishments in the future。

MONTH OF BIRTH: Jul. 2005

Silas and his older sister lived a happy life until both of their parents were killed in a car accident on January 5, 2012. The children were sent to live with a disabled uncle who had no source of income. They were only there for a short time before being brought into our care.

On March 14, 2012, Silas and Liz were both happily welcomed to our Training Center. Silas respects his teachers and house parents and loves helping others with chores and errands. He is an incredibly cute boy who loves to smile! He has really opened his heart since coming here and now enjoys talking and playing with others and following his new brothers and sisters around.

Silas also enjoys completing puzzles and reading. His Mandarin has improved quite a lot since he’s been here.  

He is now in high school, and we are delighted that we have a part in the making of his future!

MONTH OF BIRTH: Apr. 2003

Maggie’s mother left her and her siblings when she was just a small child. She lived with her father until he died of cancer. She and her two siblings then went to live with their sick grandfather who was very poor and struggled to provide for all of them.

The precious trio came to Living Hope in 2010. Maggie is a somewhat shy young lady with a loving heart and a sweet smile to match!

Now, Maggie is in a vocational college, actively participates in various clubs, and helps others whenever possible.  

MONTH OF BIRTH: Sep. 2005

When he was a year old, his mother ran away and abandoned the family. Ryan lived with his father, who was very ill, and his older sisters, Hannah and Maggie. Ryan’s father had a long struggle with liver disease and eventually died from cancer. After Ryan’s father passed, the children were taken to live with their grandfather. He was also ill and could not work to feed the 3 children.

Hannah, Ryan’s oldest sister, had cared for him since his mother abandoned the family. He tells us that his sisters love him very much. Ryan and the two girls came home to Living Hope in April of 2010. He loves his new home and has thrived since arriving. He is so happy to have plenty of food to eat and he enjoys playing with his many brothers. He also told us that he is so happy that his sisters are here with him and that they can all be together.

Ryan is a bit quiet, has beautiful, bright eyes and an infectious smile. He is a joyful boy with a happy and fun personality. Though he had a difficult beginning in life, it has not robbed him of happiness. We delight in watching Ryan bloom and grow.

He is now in high school and studied very hard. 

MONTH OF BIRTH: Apr. 2006 

At one time, our Emma lived with her mother, father, and baby brother in a very poor village. Her family suffered a tragedy when a huge storm destroyed their home. This left Emma’s mother emotionally scarred and she began to act completely irrationally. She had to be medicated and kept under constant care. Eventually, Emma’s father could no longer handle the tremendous family pressure and decided to commit suicide by drinking poison. By the time doctors arrived, it was too late.

From that point on, Emma’s grandmother took both of the children in and became the main supporter of the family. She would go to the fields to work all day in order to be given food for Emma and Tyler. Grandmother had no child care so she had to lock the children in the mud house alone all day until she returned. Emma, just a baby herself at 3 years old, had to care for her little brother. This went on for some time until we were told of their suffering. We brought Emma home to Living Hope in April of 2010. Then in September of 2012, we were able to bring Tyler home as well. 

The grandmother is so very thankful for the love and care for her precious grandchildren. She now has hope for their future. Emma is able to visit her grandmother when school is on holiday. Our Emma is pure love, a beautiful girl both inside and out! She is now in high school, and she sure will have a beautiful future.

MONTH OF BIRTH: Apr. 2007

Tyler’s mother suffered a mental breakdown resulting in her abandoning him and his sister, Emma. Soon after, their father drank poison to end his own life. The children went to stay with their poor grandmother who worked in the fields trying to earn enough to feed the kids. Without child care available, she had to lock Emma and Tyler inside the mud house alone all day long.

We brought Tyler home in September of 2012. He’s bright, and his laughter and smile are contagious.

He is now in middle school and works very hard。 

MONTH OF BIRTH: Jul. 2001

Thomas’s father died in a coal mining accident. His mother soon left him and his sister. The siblings then went to live with their elderly poverty-stricken grandparents.

Our Thomas is bright, a little mischievous, and is known to be a very helpful young man. At times you might even find him in the kitchen lending a hand with the cooking.

He is now in college and we are proud of him! We are looking forward to his beautiful future. 

MONTH OF BIRTH: Dec. 1999 

Ashley’s father was killed in a coal mining accident in 2004 and a short time later, her mother ran away and abandoned her. Ashley and her younger brother, Thomas, had nowhere to go and no one to take care of them. The two children were taken to live with their grandparents. Their grandmother was very sick with diabetes and their grandfather was also in poor health, but they did their best to care for the children by trying to work in the fields to earn money. The family struggled to survive.  

Ashley and her brother came to Living Hope in late 2009. Ashley shared with us that their mother never loved them or showed any affection toward either one of them. Because of this, Ashley had to learn to be independent of a very early age and take care of Thomas. 

Since coming to Living Hope, Ashley has flourished. She studies hard and makes good grades. Ashley is very friendly and outgoing. She likes music, singing, dancing, and drawing. Her difficult start in life has not taken her joy. She loves to laugh and is always willing to help others.  

Now，Ashley is a freshman in college and became a precious jewel of a young woman! We are very proud of her!