A mother’s courage, a family restored. How Virginia’s life was transformed through hope, community, and the support of Life Child.

In the quiet community of Namuinho, Mozambique, lives Virginia Carlos, a resilient 32-year-old mother of five and grandmother of two. Life has not been easy for her since losing her husband several years ago. Left to raise her children alone, Virginia has faced deep poverty and countless challenges, yet she continues to fight for her family’s future with courage and faith. Virginia’s grit has kept her family alive, but she hasn’t done it alone. Her story, told here, is a result of the intervention of Life Child, thanks to donors like you. Read on to learn about how making a special gift this year will ensure as many families as possible have access to similar life-changing support.

When she was first identified as a beneficiary in Life Child’s family strengthening program, Virginia’s situation was extremely fragile. Her family lived in a small, deteriorating house with a leaking roof, and many days went by with little food. Her health was unstable, and she often struggled to take her chronic medication consistently due to the lack of proper meals. Because of extreme poverty, three of her children were forced to drop out of school to help the family survive. In desperation, she even felt compelled to send some of them to live with other families as a way to reduce expenses. This is a painful form of internal trafficking where children lose a sense of childhood, family care, education and often become subservient to the receiving family.

Through the support and encouragement of the Life Child and Life Church teams, Virginia began receiving regular home visits, discipleship, and guidance. The mentors worked closely with her to ensure she stayed on her medication and received consistent follow-up from the local health centre. Gradually, her health improved, her children were brought back home, and her confidence began to return. Spiritually, Virginia’s life was also transformed. She received Jesus into her heart and started attending church regularly, participating in group discipleship and learning to trust God. Today, Virginia is part of a loving community of mothers in Life Child’s family strengthening group who walk together in faith and hope. Her son Miguelito, now 17 years old, attends Namuinho Secondary School and is actively involved in a youth cell group at church. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Before, life at home was full of sadness. Now there is peace. We pray together, and I want to help my mother so she never has to suffer again.”

Her younger twins are also continuing their studies at Life Child’s Peace School, in the 2nd grade, with hope and renewed joy. Although her home still needs repairs and the struggle for daily food continues, Virginia now lives with faith and determination. She runs a small business selling vegetables, potatoes, and cloves. She earns only about $2 a day, but even this amount helps her provide for her children’s daily needs. When asked about her life today, she smiled and said: “Now I have hope. Now I know what is right and wrong. I no longer live in fear.” Where once there was despair, now there is peace, dignity, and renewed faith. Virginia’s story is a testimony of God’s transforming love – restoring a mother, reuniting a family, and renewing hope for generations to come. Virginia and her children’s life-changing support is thanks to donors like you. We urgently need additional support to ensure we can provide holistic care for all of our students’ families which face such vulnerability. Make an impact with a special donation by the end of the year and change the trajectory of a family’s life. See the enclosed response form for more information on giving opportunities. Every donation helps families like Virginia’s move from crisis to stability.