Hands down, the best part of my work with LFTI is seeing firsthand the impact of your prayers and support years down the road.
That happened a few months ago, when the staff and I got to connect with a young woman named Farida, who we helped as a child.
The first time I saw her all those years ago, Farida was limping and in a lot of pain. I will never forget the brave, defiant look on her face. I thought, This girl is a fighter.
She asked, “Where are you taking me?”
I told her, “You are going to a safe place where people care about you. But first, we want you to feel better, so we are going to the doctor.”
She replied, “Well, I guess it can’t get any worse for me.”
That broke my heart. But when I learned about Farida’s background, her response made sense. As a little girl, Farida witnessed her dad kill her mother. Sadly, she ended up on the streets, and was soon being abused at a brothel.
And through Farida’s story, LFTI learned a horrible truth about the sex trafficking of girls here in South Asia: girls as young as 9-10 are often forced to take oradexon, a steroid typically given to livestock.
Oradexon increases girls’ appetites, makes them gain weight, and causes physical development that makes them look older to customers. It is just awful.
Unfortunately, Farida was one of these girls. In fact, the doctors assumed she was 15, but she was only 11! We had never run across this, but were determined to help her.
They said Farida had liver damage from the oradexon and needed abdominal surgeries. Because she was so weak, they said she might not survive.
As you can imagine, this was SO upsetting.
But since LFTI’s beginning, part of our DNA has been to stand by EVERY child, to leave NO ONE behind, and that dignity is deserved by ALL.
I know you believe that, too. And, that level of care is only possible because of people like you.
That night, our counselors and I explained everything to Farida, and said we would be with her every step of the way.
She asked, “Why are you doing all this? Just give up on me already!”
I replied, “Farida, there are so many people here and around the world who care about you, and want you to have a wonderful life. You are worth saving.“
That was hard for her to believe, understandably. But healing happens gradually, across small moments.
And, over several months, Farida persevered through all the surgeries, medications, and tests!
She didn’t understand why we were helping her. But our message to her was consistent – that her wounds didn’t tarnish her, they showed how STRONG she was.
When she got a clean bill of health, Farida was adopted by an great couple. She got to know them as she recovered, and developed a special bond with her new dad. That was 13 years ago.
Fast forward to a few months ago…
During a staff meeting in South Asia, a young woman in an army uniform walked in. As she came toward me, our eyes met. At first, I did not recognize her. 
But then I saw a familiar, confident look in her eyes.
I exclaimed, “Farida! Oh my gosh!”
She removed her beret, handing it to me. Tears ran down her face silently. I started crying, too. I could not believe it was her!
I asked permission to hug her. She nodded and said, “I have been waiting for this hug for 13 years!”
We spent time catching up, and she is as incredible as ever. Farida is now in her mid-twenties, and is a sergeant in the army.
I am so inspired by her. Farida survived unimaginable trauma, yet now she stands strong, and even works every day to protect others. And she got the opportunity to heal and thrive because of people like YOU.
Thank you for reading Farida’s story. If you want to take a step further, becoming a monthly donor is a powerful way to help children like Farida.
I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read this email, and considering how you can help children each month.
Sam Kumar
LFTI South Asia Director
