The feel-good story you need today.
Valdinar from Brazil was just 18 years old when he made a life-changing, sacrificial choice. He was visiting his brother’s home, where he saw a beautiful baby boy he didn’t recognize. He asked who the baby was, and heard baby Eduardo’s sad story.
Eduardo’s young mother had been ashamed of the child she gave birth to — the product of prostitution. So she dropped him off with relatives and left town. The baby was passed from one relative’s home to another. But no one wanted him. It was clear to Valdinar that Eduardo, abandoned and unloved, would have no future.
“That’s when I decided that my mother and I had to care for him,” says Valdinar.
There was a reason for his bold choice: Valdinar had also been abandoned as a child. But he had survived because a compassionate woman whom he calls mother, Mrs. Raimunda, took him in.
At 69 years of age, Mrs. Raimunda had a hard life but a loving heart. Over the years, without any children of her own, she took several abandoned children into her home, like Valdinar, whom she considers her own.
“I have helped raise many children,” Mrs. Raimunda says. “Despite being poor, I shared everything I had with them. What could I do? Let them die? What little I had, I shared.”
After years of raising children, Mrs. Raimunda was looking forward to a future of peace and quiet. But when Valdinar told her that a baby had been abandoned at his brother’s house, she agreed that they should bring him into their home. Despite their financial constraints, Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda knew that if they didn’t do something, Eduardo’s life would be in peril.
The unlikely family had love, but finances were always tight.
They have lived on Mrs Raimunda’s retirement pension, about U.S.$232 a month, and the sporadic jobs Valdinar gets in town.
“It’s not easy to find a job here,” Valdinar says. “There are not many opportunities, and I don’t have much education. I can’t read, and I am very ashamed of that. Today the only job I can find is cleaning, and I earn no more than U.S.$12 for a cleaning job.”
Thankfully, Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda have help bringing up energetic Eduardo. Thanks to a generous sponsor, Eduardo gets support at the local church’s child development center.
“I like that he goes to the Compassion center,” Mrs. Raimunda says, “because he learns a lot of things there. All the staff take good care of him and encourage him to work to become a responsible person in the future.”
The education assistance, health care and other benefits that Eduardo receives at the center are a huge relief to Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda. They allow Eduardo to focus on school.
“The biggest regret of my life is that I didn’t devote myself to studies when I was a child,” says Valdinar. “That’s why I always tell Eduardo that he needs to study to create a better future for himself.”
Though he was abandoned as a baby, Eduardo is thriving.
Anyone who hears the 10-year-old boy’s joyful laugh can’t imagine the terrible circumstances of his first months of life. But Eduardo is loved by everyone around him, from neighbors to the Compassion center staff. When he grows up, Eduardo says he wants to be a truck driver so that he can visit different places.
Though it has been a lot of work, Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda never regret their choice to have compassion on Eduardo.
Valdinar, now 28, says, “It’s challenging to raise a child, but we do our best. Sometimes, he can be naughty, like all little boys, but I feel happy and proud when he calls me ‘father.’”
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She reminds of when Jesus said,
” And he looked up and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the
living that she had.”
Well it’s hard to live on little money
Hello: I was not aware that this special fund existed. I’ve just made a donation and it sounds wonderful. However, perhaps some of us were thinking that maybe there is a fund that would fund continued (higher) education for caregivers? This young man has spent his teenage years eking out a small income to support this child and his aunt unlike our children who are carefree and preparing for college/trade school and the great years to come. Just a thought.
Hi Deb. Thank you for taking the time to read our blog! We appreciate you making a donation to our ministry.
I am happy to share that we do have opportunities for caregivers to attend educational classes through the sponsorship program. These classes can include adult literacy, child development training, nutrition and health education, parenting skills, and much more. With that said, those these opportunities are available, not all caregivers are able attend these classes on a regular basis. I hope this information helps. Please send us an email at [email protected] if you have any other questions!
May The Lord Jesus continue to bless him in all areas.
What a wonderful testimony of compassion and the love of God in him.
Is there a class for the young man so he can learn to read?
Hi Joan. Thank you for asking! We do have opportunities for caregivers to attend educational classes. These classes can include adult literacy, child development training, nutrition and health education, parenting skills, and much more. With that said, those these opportunities are available, not all caregivers are able attend these classes on a regular basis. I hope this information helps. Please send us an email at [email protected] if you have any other questions!
Love this heartwarming story! May God bless this family and all the sponsors and compassion workers!
I’ve searched for the Parent Education Fund on line to make a donation, but have been unable to find the category
Hi Dave. I’m sorry that you were unable to find the Parent Education Fund online. I believe this may be the link you are looking for: https://www.compassion.com/parenting-skills.htm . If this is the incorrect link, or you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. We are happy to help!
A beautiful example of love and kindness.
How can Compassion sponsors directly help, especially for Valdinar to be able to read?
Hello Mrs. Renfro! Thank you for your care and concern for Valdinar. Please know that there may already be opportunities for Valdinar at the Compassion center to help him read. While not all centers are set up to help the parents directly with reading and education, some do have the ability. If you would like to, we also accept donations to the Parent Education Fund for any parents and caregivers who find themselves in situations like this. If you have any questions please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]!
What a beautiful story; thank you for sharing examples of selfless love that serve to inspire us. God’s love is ever in action, seen here in Mrs. Raimunda and her son Valdinar’s care for Eduardo.
May the Almighty God Bless You.
This is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. We all need to be loved. When we share God’s love, it makes the world a better place!
So encouraging.
God bless you always
what a director of our lord Jesus Christ : grand ma take care of a son , son take care of a grand son . his love flows to every one . reading this life changing incident , i came to know about compassion ministry. i will help children’s education
A beautiful story of love from two big hearts. A example of God’s love for each of us. Thank you to Compassion International for his learning in their program. It is a reminder we can still help with our “little.” Like the oil that never ran out for Elijah.
You and your mother both have big hearts. You have given your son a great gift of love. Bless you. May your son grow up to be a truck driver and be able to thank you and your mother for the helping hand that you have given him in this world.
May God continue to bless you and your loving Mother. Our paths are already predestined and you were chosen to be his father. Never be ashamed of who you are just strive to make your path a little bit wider!!
You and your family are in my prayers
God bless
A’smile
You are a wonderful young man, I know how tough it is raising children, I have taken care of many children who were not cared for and were abused, I did foster care for 30 years, and proud of them all, I am now a great Grandma and my heathisnot the best however, each and every one of my kids are always checking on me and willing to help me out in every way I need. GOD Bless you, I’ve been blessed many over and over, never a regret just happy all my kids are doing great. The Lord will be blessing you also. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. MANY HUGS.
GREAT GRANDMA Gwendolene
This is the most inspiring story that I have had the pleasure to read. He’s a handsome young man and deserves all the love he’s been given. Many thanks to his father and grandmother for all the time and love they’re given him. You are awesome people. Thank you and God bless you.
As Eduardo is now being cared for I think it is also important that Valdinar should at least receive some basic assistance and help with learning to read. Is this already taking place? I’m sure there are some of us who might make a donation towards this?
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your kind heart and concern for Valdinar! Please know that there may already be opportunities for Valdinar at the center. However, each center is provided with programs that will be the most beneficial depending what the needs are in that community. If the church center does not already have a program like this that can support Valdinar and other caregivers, the church can request funding for a project like our adult literacy program, if they feel they have a need for it in their community. This will be up to the church to decide. If you would like to, we also accept donations to the Parent Education Fund for any parents and caregivers who find themselves in situations like this. You an certainly call at any time to make a donation if you would like. Our phone number is 1-800-336-7676. We are available to serve you Monday through Friday, 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., MT.
I would like to help him, can I have his address?
Hello Silvia! We truly appreciate your heart for children in need and your desire to help Eduardo! Compassion takes child protection very seriously, and we do not provide children’s personal information like addresses. Eduardo is currently sponsored, so he is not in need of additional support at this time. If you would like to partner with us in our mission by offering some support, I encourage you to either sponsor a child or donate to a fund. God bless you!
There are good people in this world and this story prove it. Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda you are God,s greatest gift to this little boy
What a beautiful story. This story made me feel sad but brought joy to my ?. Such a brave boy to raise this child. I truly believe God works in mysterious ways, and used Valdinar to bring hope to this cute child. Bravo for Valdinar and his caring mom??
Thank you, I’ve just read horror stories of the abused & murdered children by their own parents. I cried to know all thet wanted was to be loved. But Thank you for giving a shining light for those who give so much of themselves to love the children wgo been abandoned…thabk for giving heart & soul some peace that there are decent loving people to love someone & made a place in their home & heart.
The Lord has had His hand upon Eduardo, and Valdinar was His instrument.
So glad God choose to work through the hearts of Valdinar and Mrs. Raimunda to give Eduardo, one of His precious children, the love, support and Compassion Child experience to grow with hope for his future. Oh that joyful smile!
I know in some areas there are opportunities for reading and education classes for mothers of Compassion children that benefit the family. Might there be something like that for Valdinar in Eduardo’s Compassion center or another affiliate??? Our life on earth is such a constant learning lesson and the choice to go deeper can happen at any age.
The Love from; God, the Compassion program and children’s families is why I choose to sponsor a child – adding my love to the equation.
Thank-you for making me a partner in a better life for my Compassion child and her family.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
With Love in Our Lord!
Hi Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! We are so thankful for your heart for these sweet children and it is our honor to have you in our Compassion family! Please know that while not all centers are set up to help the parents directly with reading and education, some do have the ability. We will certainly help wherever and whenever we can. ?
What a fabulous story. God bless this family!
This is a perfect lesson of how God has made everyone in his image. Psalm 139:14, no matter where
life takes individuals, the Lord will connect them with the right people. No child is a mistake or
accident. The one time engagement with them makes a turn around. I love the heart of Valdinar.
Thank you Sara for sharing this powerful story.
I loved this story…..too many bad people in the world but god chose them and they are an inspiration and demonstrate what kindness and love can accomplish