Susan's story

Susan lives in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Before her father passed away, Susan's life was as good as it could be. However, following her father's death, her mother remarried and things began to deteriorate. Susan's new step father abused her mother and, before long, began to abuse Susan too.

"I was afraid of him. I told my mother that we should do something so she told my stepfather to leave. But after a month my mother felt really lonely and accepted my step-father back in our house.”

The mistreatment continued and, on one occasion, Susan was hospitalised because of her injuries. When this occured Susan's school reported her situation to the authorities. Susan was taken to a Toybox project, El Refugio.
 
“I felt very happy and made new friends. We lived together as a family and people helped me to overcome and forget what had happened to me.”

At El Refugio Susan received all the care, love and support she deserved. The team at El Refugio also worked with Susan's mother, to make it possible for Susan to be able to return home. After being at the project for a year Susan was reunited with her mother. Susan’s step-father is now in prison and they are trying to begin a new life with the support of El Refugio. 

• Pray for Susan as she begins life again with her mother.
• Pray for Susan's mother, that she can look after Susan as she deserves and not be lonely without her husband.
• Pray for the work El Refugio does with families, making it possible for children to return to live with their relatives again.