Reflection On Our Journey So Far…
Wow!!! Living Fountain is 15. As is often said, time flies! It seems like only yesterday that we opened our doors for the first time. We give all the glory to God for preserving our lives and all the amazing things he has done for our home all these years. It has been a life-changing journey with ups and downs, but through it all we have blossomed into what we are today. We truly appreciate all the wonderful support over the years from our Founders, Board of Trustees, Partners, Staff, Volunteers, and other stakeholders.
How it all began:
Living Fountain Orphanage (LFO) was established in 2007 due to a vow I made to God some years back. My first child fell seriously sick at 16 years old and was dying. In my distress, I turned to God and vowed that if her life were spared, I would dedicate the rest of my life to restoring hope to vulnerable children. Her life was spared through God’s intervention, and I sought ways to fulfill my vow. This gave birth to the establishment of this Home. Although my daughter eventually passed away several years later, I did not falter but continued with the mission and God has continued to show us mercy.
Trials:
Although we faced many hardships over the past years, we have pulled through with determination and the grace of God while learning so much along the way. Our key challenges remain financing the Home, as we do not get any support from the government. Also, the situation of the country makes it even harder for us to survive. Another major issue is getting the human resources needed to run the Home. Furthermore, medical aid is also an issue as getting specialized treatment for the children can be difficult or impossible. Another challenge is the growth of scammers who leverage technology and deceit to trick unsuspecting well-meaning donors via social media. We have received tip-offs from well-meaning donors and this has helped us to minimize the efforts of the scammers.
Testimonies:
We are delighted when we see our children well settled and flourishing with their “forever family”. The good feedback received from adoptive parents fills our hearts with joy. We have witnessed the miraculous transformation of children some of whom were extremely sick and malnourished, who regained their health and have continued to blossom. Their remarkable turnaround gives us immense joy. We are also gladdened by families who have found joy and peace, via adoption. God has answered many prayers and is indeed a wonderful God! We have also witnessed God’s intervention at turbulent times, as the hymn writer wrote: “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform”!
Learning Points:
Despite the various trials, we have continued to forge ahead and I am happy to share some of the learning points that have helped us over the years:
- Organisation of the Home – Over the years, we aimed to ensure that we remained organized and kept our standards of care and hygiene. Although this is not easy to do but it is necessary to ensure that our standards are kept at all times.
- Innovation – We strive to do things better, and embrace the digital and other technologies which help us operate more effectively.
- Prayer – At LFO we believe that prayers move mountains. Prayer is the bedrock of our home; therefore, we ensure that prayer is infused into our daily activities.
- Helpers – We are blessed with unique individuals that God has used to help and support us on this journey.
- Determination against all odds – Caring for displaced children can be very challenging, but with determination, we have continued to put in our very best to nurture them.
