Each year in May, there is a brief window at Children of Faith when our gates open a little wider—when new children may step into a future shaped by care, stability, and opportunity. This year, we had around 30 openings. Nearly 200 applications followed.
Because of the overwhelming response, we were able to accept applications for only two days. In that short time, families traveled, waited, and hoped—for a chance, for a change, for something better for their children.
Most of these applications come not from advertisements or campaigns, but from something far more powerful: transformation. When children from our home return to their villages, they carry visible signs of growth—confidence, education, health, and joy. Others see this and begin to hope that the same future might be possible for their own children. And so, they come.
This season is one of the most challenging times for us as an organization. Behind every application is a story, often marked by hardship. The weight of choosing—of knowing we cannot say “yes” to everyone—is something we carry with great care. Our desire is to reach those who need it most, but discernment is not always easy.
We rely deeply on God’s guidance during this time. Each decision is made prayerfully, asking for wisdom beyond our own understanding. Without that guidance, the responsibility would feel overwhelming. Yet time and again, we see His hand at work—helping us recognize children who are truly in need of care, protection, and support.
Our approach is both thoughtful and thorough. We generally give preference to younger children, especially those just beginning their educational journey, as it allows us to walk alongside them for many formative years. At the same time, we remain open to older children when there is a clear and urgent need.
The interview process is designed to help us understand each child’s situation as fully as possible. It includes collecting and verifying documents, recording family background, conducting a simple academic assessment, meeting with parents or guardians, and spending time with each child—listening, observing, and learning their story.
We also meet families who return year after year, applying again with quiet persistence. Their hope is not unnoticed. While we consider each application carefully every time, our priority remains rooted in need—first orphans, then semi-orphans, and then children from deeply vulnerable family situations.
No two stories are the same. Each child represents a life full of potential, and each decision we make is held with care, compassion, and prayer.
Though the process is difficult, it is also filled with hope. Because in the midst of limited space, we are continually reminded of the profound impact a single opportunity can make—not just in one child’s life, but in families, villages, and generations to come.
As you read these stories and glimpse the weight of each decision, we invite you to be part of the answer.
Your support helps us open doors for children who are waiting—children whose lives can be transformed through safe shelter, education, and consistent care. Every gift, no matter the size, directly impacts our ability to welcome and nurture those most in need. When you give, you stand with us in this season of discernment and hope, helping ensure that more children are not turned away, but instead are given the chance to grow, thrive, and step into a brighter future.
