“My world was filled with misery, poverty and worry: I had given up hope and had no motivation to change. I could not bear to leave my small, dark, dirty house. I was so afraid of what the future held for me and my two children, that I could not even cuddle or console them when they cried for food because I felt so numb.”

My husband, Saman, was an alcoholic and could not do anything for our family. He did illegal work sometimes but whatever tiny wages he got he would spend on drinking the same day. He never thought about our children’s future, and we never talked to each other because it would always lead to arguments and fighting. Human bonds; love; affection…these were words with no meaning in my life.

One day, several people from SOS Children’s Village Galle visited our community, collecting information about the poor families. When the social workers from SOS Children’s Villages came to our house and promised they could provide educational support for our children and help us raise our standard of living, I was very sceptical but agreed to join their programme.

This became the turning point of my life. I joined all the programmes and workshops because I knew that I would learn something from each of them. Their continuous series of awareness programmes, counselling sessions, self-employment trainings and meetings helped me gain back my confidence, and soon I was able to draw on my inner strength and motivation to improve things for my family.

The change I saw in my husband Saman was incredible. Nobody had ever been able to touch the soft corner of his heart…but SOS Children’s Villages could do that miracle! The first successful outcome of the programmes was that he found a job in a farm as a casual labourer. He also found some casual jobs in some places where he worked on his days off to earn a little extra income. Incredibly, he has turned into a dear father and a loving husband, and our domestic troubles are a thing of the past. Now, he finally takes an interest in our children’s education.

A baby son has been born to us lately, and I see this as a symbol of our new-found happiness. When my children Umesha and Pasindu stand smiling around the baby and Saman talks happily to all of us, I feel there is no better place in the world for me than my own home!

Depression and hopelessness stand in the way of many families being able to improve their situations. With a little help to get their feet on the ground, these families can leave behind problems such as depression and alcoholism so that the children once again have parents they can depend on for love, affection and care. You can help us provide this help by donating today.