Of Gratitude and Possibility: The Story of Hayley and Kao Fang

Sometimes bonds emerge unexpectedly, leaving an impression that lasts.

For Hayley, that moment came on a ride into one of the Hands homes. She saw care expressed on a deeper, more personal level. There was warmth and laughter around a shared dinner table, children looking out for one another. It was a place that felt less like a refuge and more like a family.

What she witnessed resonated with her deeply and led her to sponsor a child.

"The biggest lesson I have learnt is to be grateful for everything and to try and give back as much as I can. I feel so lucky to be in a position where I can help and also be healthy enough to do the ride again and again."

Hayley is a single mum of two. As she got to know her sponsored child, she recognised echoes of her own journey - moments that called for resilience, and the determination to keep going through her own difficult seasons. Sponsorship became more than support, it came to be something she could share with her own children, opening conversations about gratitude and compassion. In 2026, she’ll join the ride again, this time with her children, so they can see the community that inspired her.

What this connection looks like for Kao Fang

Kao Fang is eight years old. She has an older sister, and together they have faced uncertainty at an age where children should only be focused on learning and play. After her parents separated, contact with their father ended. Her mother worked tirelessly for the family, but when COVID-19 hit, she lost her job, bringing both emotional strain and school disruptions for the children.

It was the local village headman who reached out, hoping for support, so that Kao Fang and her sister could return to education and find stability again.

Today, Kao Fang is in Primary 2. She is a very kind child who loves art, especially painting. When she talks about the future, she dreams of becoming a teacher - a dream rooted in learning, care, and giving back.

When asked what her sponsor means to her, Kao Fang’s words are simple and honest:

“I want to say thank you from my heart for always helping me and staying by my side.”

This is the power of sponsorship. It doesn’t just change circumstances, it builds foundations. It tells a child they matter.

This Christmas, we celebrate the bonds between sponsor and child — and the lifelong impact it brings to both. If you’d like to see for yourself how rewarding this type of sponsorship can be, for just $110 a month we can help make that happen.