Esther is a double orphan, meaning she has lost both of her parents. She and twelve other family members lived in a 3-room house, with no electricity or running water, and all slept in the same room. They would sleep on top of their grandmother’s clothes because they did not have blankets.

“Eating was a struggle. When the food would run out, we would have to wait until my uncle got paid at the end of the month to buy more. Sometimes he would not get paid at all. Most times the only meal I would eat was at school.” – Esther

Esther knew she would soon be sold into marriage to help her family buy food. Her life changed forever when she was rescued and began living at the Girls House of Hope Home. “I met new friends who love me and have become my family. They share about God’s blessings with me. I have a real bathroom and a real bed to sleep in. We do small chores like cleaning our rooms but we do not have to work jobs to pay for food or shelter. I can focus on my studies, unlike where I was staying before.”

During the pandemic when schools were closed and everyone went home, Esther told Chance, the house mother, “I don’t want to go back because this is my home now.” Esther is so thankful for the House of Hope and for the opportunity to be educated. When she grows up, she wants to go into law enforcement.

(Pictured: Esther and her housemates at the Girls House of Hope. )