A little good news for your Sunday
Last Sunday was Grandparents Day here in New South Wales, Australia, and I've been thinking about the special place grandparents hold in so many families.
For some children, grandparents mean holidays, treats, stories and a little extra spoiling.
But for others, a grandparent's love can mean something much more. It can mean a roof over their heads, food on the table, a safe place to sleep and the chance to begin again.
And often, it comes at a real cost to grandparents, who make so many sacrifices themselves.
Alshifa's Story
This week, I'd like to introduce you to Alshifa, an older teenage girl at our Project Help India City Centre in Kotdwara, Northern India.
Her story has really impacted me, perhaps because I'm a grandparent myself, but particularly because of what her grandmother did when everything seemed to be falling apart.
When there was nowhere left to go
Alshifa grew up with her parents, her younger sister Tasbia and her brother in a village near Dhampur, in Uttar Pradesh, Northern India. It's in the plains south of the Himalayan foothills.
Life was already difficult. Her mother, Nazia Parveen, struggled to keep the family going while her father, Shakeel, battled alcohol addiction.
As his addiction worsened, he sold everything the family had, including the family home.
The family was left on the street, with nowhere to live.
It's hard to imagine what that must have meant for Alshifa and her younger siblings. The uncertainty, the disruption to their schooling, and the loss of the security every child needs.
But when Alshifa's Nani, her maternal grandmother, and Mama, her maternal uncle, heard what had happened, they stepped in.
They brought the children to the city of Kotdwara, where Project Help India is based, and took them into their own home.
And when you hear how small their home is, you realise just how much they've taken on.
Their home is very small, and the whole family shares the same sleeping space. There was no spare bedroom waiting for the children. No comfortable extra space. Just a grandmother and uncle willing to make room for three more young lives.
I don't know about you, but that really gets to me.
They also made sure the children were enrolled in a local government school. They didn't have much to offer materially, but they were determined to give these kids a chance.
A chance to catch up and hold her head high
There's another part of Alshifa's story that I think is important.
Although she's an older teenager, Alshifa is studying at 5th Standard level.
Now, that doesn't mean Alshifa isn't bright or capable. Far from it! She's simply missed out on years of schooling through no fault of her own.
Here's the problem. In India's school system, children generally have to work their way through each academic level. So when a child misses years of schooling, they can end up in a classroom with children much younger than themselves.
Imagine how this kid would be feeling, especially after everything Alshifa has been through.
And in government schools where classes can have 50 or more students, teachers are often stretched to their limits. Even the most dedicated teacher may struggle to give a child like Alshifa the individual attention she needs.
That's one of the reasons our PHI Education Centres are so important.
When Alshifa's grandmother and uncle heard about Project Help India, they reached out to ask for our help and support.
At our PHI Centre, nobody is judging Alshifa because she's older than the other kids at her school level. Our teachers just want to help her catch up and do well.
They can spend time with her individually, help her prepare for exams and encourage her when things get difficult.
It's not just about passing exams. It's about helping Alshifa get her confidence back and feel good about herself again - especially after everything she’s been through.
And she's doing incredibly well.
Our team tells us that Alshifa is a happy, conscientious student who has made wonderful progress in her studies.
And the best part? She's growing in confidence and starting to believe in herself again.
Love, encouragement and a little room to grow
Rowena and I visited our PHI centres in February, and one of the things that always strikes us is the difference personal attention makes.
A teacher sitting beside a child who is struggling. A word of encouragement. The patience to explain something again. Belief in her abilities. The happiness of a student who suddenly realises, I can do this!
It's amazing what a bit of time, patience and encouragement can do for a kid who's had a tough start in life.
Looking at the photographs of Alshifa concentrating on her schoolwork, I think about the different people who have helped her get to this point.
Her grandmother and uncle, who opened their home when the children had nowhere else to go.
Her teachers, who are helping her make up lost ground.
And Alshifa herself, who is working hard and making the most of the opportunity she's been given.
Her grandmother couldn't change everything that had happened to the family. But she could open her door, make room in her home and give those children a fresh start.
And look at the difference it's already making for Alshifa!
Thank you for being part of her story
To all our friends and supporters, thank you.
Because of you, we can give children like Alshifa the extra help they need, while supporting families who are already doing so much with so little.
A message to all the Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles
And finally, to all the grandparents, aunties, uncles and extended family members who do so much for the children in their lives, please don't ever underestimate the difference you're making. Sometimes it might feel thankless, and you may wonder whether anyone notices. But those kids need you and they are watching, listening and learning from you. You're helping shape who they become, how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.
So please keep going. What you do really does matter.
#SmallStepsBigPurpose
