Back To Family

June 20, 2025

BACK TO FAMILY

Baby Emmanuel

The staff at St. Jude Children’s Home work to ensure that every child grows up in a safe family environment. The Home provides temporary care for children in crisis while working closely with families and communities toward resettlement whenever possible.

Today I met one of the new babies and spent time with a boy that I met last year on my visit. Both boys are receiving temporary care at St. Jude while the staff helps to secure their futures.The first child I met was Emmanuel, one of the Home’s newest residents. Emmanuel arrived when he was just two days old. His mother passed away during childbirth.

His grandparents, who live in a nearby village, are unable to care for him. At the time of his birth, they were at the hospital tending to Emmanuel’s aunt, their other daughter, who had recently suffered a stroke and was paralyzed on the right side of her body.

Faced with an impossible situation, Emmanuel’s grandparents brought him to St. Jude so they could focus on their daughter’s recovery. They visit him every Monday to remain part of his life until the day they are ready to take him home.

Innocent in 2024 when we first met him

I first met Innocent last year on our visit. Innocent has lived at St. Jude for a little over a year now. Today I learned that he is in the process of becoming adopted.

His future parents are a Ugandan couple with two children of their own, one in university and the other in primary school. Both parents grew up without their own families and wanted the opportunity to help a child find a family. They have completed family tracing, parenting education, and financial and background checks. Over the coming year, they will visit Innocent regularly, getting to know him until the time comes they can take him home.

At St. Jude Children’s Home, each child has a story with a difficult beginning. Whether through resettlement with relatives like Emmanuel’s grandparents or through new beginnings like Innocent’s adoption, the Home is committed to helping every child find their way back to family whenever possible.

Innocent today all grown up