Blog

Meet Manlamkim, a beautiful talented 13 year old whose life has changed dramatically thanks to the James Connection.

Manlamkim's life went tragically downhill when she was only a toddler.  Her mother had died leaving her to live alone with an alcoholic father who gambled away most of the little money they had for food.  She remembers how violent he would be.  "I was fearful, lonely, cold and hungry."

Fortunately, Manlamkim was rescued from a very dangerous home life by her grandfather.  He wanted better for her but could not take care of a small child himself.  So, he brought her to Angels' Place in 2010 when she was just 7 years old.

Today, Manlamkim enjoys a life she never dreamed possible for herself.  She no longer lives under the shadow of fear and loneliness of her early childhood.   She no longer awakens in the middle of the night hungry and cold, wondering whether someone will be there to take care of her in the morning.  Like most children at the orphanage, you can find her playing and singing with her friends, a bright smile on her face that reflects the inner peace and security she now feels.  The memories of fear, loneliness, and hunger will always be scars she carries through life, but they are fading more and more each day as she continues to write a new story of her life...one full of hope, love and joy.

Manlamkin wants the world to know how grateful she is to her sponsors for giving her the opportunity to write this new story.

There are hundreds of children like Manlamkin, still living a life full of fear and loneliness.  You can help us make room for them at Angel's Place by visiting our Ways to Help page.

Meet Thangkhanmuan, one of the newest and youngest children at Angels' Place.

This sweet little boy lost both of his parents by the time he was 5 years old.  When his mother died last year, he remembers feeling completely helpless.  "I have no one to take care of me." was all he could think about. Even before losing his mother, he remembers a very hard life where he cried a lot.  "We were hungry most of the time.  We often fell sick."

Fortunately, for Thangkhanmuan, some relatives brought him to Angel's Place and things began to change, for the better.  Slowly, he is coming out of the despair that hung over him like a dark cloud.  Now, life brings him more things to smile about...friends to play with in a safe environment, a good school, a warm bed to sleep in, nourishing meals and people he can count on to make sure he thrives.  He will need a great deal of TLC over the next few years, but the staff at Angels' Place is confident he will make a successful happy life for himself now that he is getting the care he needs.   Thanks to his sponsors and the James Connection donors, they will have the resources necessary to continue to provide this care until he is able to make it on his own.

Thangkhanmuan no longer despairs over having no one to take care of him.  He does not worry about going hungry, or whether he will have a place to sleep at night or someone to hold his hand when he is afraid.

Today, he plays and studies and draws (one of his favorite past times) with a carefree smile, as all 6 year old children should.

There are hundreds of children like Thangkhanmuan who don't have the basic needs every child must have to thrive.  You can help make room for them at Angels' Place by visiting our Ways to Help page.

Looking at the bright smile on this young boy's face, you would never know the hardship and sadness he has endured.  Yet, it was only last year he came to Angels' Place lonely and scared.

When Manglalthuam was 5 years old, his father died, leaving his mother alone to care for her child.  He describes this time in his life as very lonely.  His mother was often sick and could not work and there were many days when they had nothing to eat.  In his words:  "My life was tough.  I used to cry a lot."

Now, living at Angels' Place, the tough times are becoming distant memories. Everyday, he finds comfort in knowing he will get three solid meals and he no longer fears going hungry.  He has many friends who keep him busy playing in the afternoon and he loves singing songs with them in the evening devotional time.  Getting a good education is very important to Manglalthuam (his favorite subject is Social Studies), and he works hard at his studies when he is not enjoying reading and playing football during his free time.  His new life is full of hope, joy, love, and friendship...all comforting remedies to heal the loneliness and fear of his early childhood.  This is what Angels' Place is all about...healing young lives so they can have hope for a brighter future.

Manglalthuam wants the world to know he is "a good boy" who is very thankful for his sponsors because they have made a new life possible for him.  Whether it's being a football player (soccer player) or joining the army, he is confident life has promise for whatever path he chooses.  Most importantly, he knows he is not alone!

So many children, just like Manglalthuam, are struggling with overwhelming loneliness and despair.  All they need is a little boost to pull themselves up to a better place.  Angels' Place can help, but we just don't have the room for the hundreds still on our waiting list.  Visit our Ways to Help page to learn how you can be part of the solution.