As the school year draws to a close for many in the USA this May, we’re reflecting on the powerful role education plays in breaking cycles of exploitation and poverty. And one story that reminds us why this work matters so deeply is Joshua*.
When his mother, Sunday, was rescued from captivity in South Sudan, she carried the weight of unthinkable trauma — and the hope of a better future for her children.
She had been held in a government barracks and abused as a sex slave by soldiers. But in 2017, she found refuge and healing at Hope for South Sudan (HFSS), where she was given a space to be protected and hired to help care for other children who had endured hardship. With the income she earned, Sunday began to rebuild her life — and rewrite her story.
Her children, including Joshua, were enrolled in school at HFSS. For the first time, they had consistent access to education, meals, safety, and a community that truly cared.
And that was only the beginning.
In 2020, Sunday took a bold step forward. Using her savings, she started a small eatery in a nearby town. Today, her business is thriving — and Joshua and his siblings continue to pursue their education in LUV’s network with passion and joy.
Because of people like you, one woman’s rescue and empowerment became a family’s transformation.
Joshua is now age 19 and a sophomore in high school. He dreams of a future filled with hope — one where he, too, can give back to his community.
Together, we are investing in lives that make stories like Joshua’s possible.
Sign-up for LUV’s Monthly Prayer Emails
Sign up for our monthly prayer emails and take an active role in transforming lives through prayer. Sent on the first Wednesday of each month, they include reflections, prayer points, and real-time updates from the field.