Hannah's Story - Broken to Brave: A Father's Fight to Bring His Children Home

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What happens when a struggling father refuses to let disability define his family's future? Hannah Smith's remarkable story reveals the transformative journey from family separation to triumphant reunion in post-war Sierra Leone.

Hannah's story begins in hardship—her disabled father, a determined blacksmith, made the heartbreaking decision to place his children in an orphanage when he couldn't provide basic necessities. Though initially grateful for education and proper care at the Child Rescue Center, Hannah and her siblings soon felt a profound emptiness without their father's presence. "Every day spent without him, it was like, 'When are we going to see our dad again?'" Hannah shares, revealing how even well-intentioned institutional care cannot replace family bonds.

The turning point came through empowerment, not charity. The CRC's microfinance program equipped Hannah's father with business training and initial capital that allowed him to expand his blacksmith work creating farming tools and even open a small cinema for community football viewings. Crawling on the ground to perform his craft during difficult rainy seasons when orders decreased, this remarkable man refused to surrender to circumstances. He transformed from a parent who couldn't provide into a successful entrepreneur who trained others and rebuilt his family's future.

Today, Hannah pursues higher education inspired by her father's extraordinary example. "He's our strong pillar... despite his condition, he's always keeping a deep smile to tell people that yes, even though he's disabled, all is not lost." Her powerful message reminds us that determination coupled with the right support can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories of resilience and hope—and learn how you can help ensure more children grow up where they belong: in families.

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Travel on International Mission, meet local leadership and work alongside them. Exchange knowledge, learn from one another and be open to personal transformation. Step into a 25 year long story of change for children in some of the poorest regions on Earth.

https://www.helpingchildrenworldwide.org/mission-trips.html

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A bible study for groups and individuals, One Twenty-Seven: The Widow and the Orphan by Dr Andrea Siegel explores the themes of the first chapter of James, and in particular, 1:27. In James, we learn of our duty to the vulnerable in the historical context of the author. Order here or digital download

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Family Empowerment Advocates support the work of family empowerment experts at the Child Reintegration Centre, Sierra Leone.  Your small monthly donation,  prayers, attention & caring is essential. You  advocate for their work to help families bring themselves out of poverty, changing the course of children's lives and lifting up communities. join

Shout out to our newest sponsor: The Resilience Institute

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:14):
Welcome to Optimistic Voices, A Child's View, where
we share stories of resilienceand hope through the eyes of a
child.

Speaker 2 (00:23):
I'm Elena, and this is my co-host, melody.
Together, we'll talk about realkids who faced tough challenges
and the amazing people whohelped them find a brighter
future.

Speaker 1 (00:34):
Each episode features a special guest who will take
us on a journey, one filled withadversity, compassion and hope.
Today's story is especiallyinspiring because it speaks to
the generational impact ofempowerment.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
From losing everything in a war-torn country
to rebuilding his life.
With the help of the orphanagewhere he had been forced to
place his children, Hannah'sfather was empowered to raise
himself out of abject povertyand take back control of his
children's well-being.

Speaker 3 (01:11):
Let's welcome today's guest, hannah Smith.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
Thank you everyone for having me.

Speaker 3 (01:19):
Before we dive in, tell us a little bit about
yourself.
I'm Hannah Smith, living withmy father and family members in
Sierra Leone.
We are a tiny number that livestogether as family.
I lived in the orphanage forabout five years and had to

(01:41):
reunite with my family.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
Can you tell us about how you came to be living in
that orphanage?

Speaker 3 (01:47):
Before we entered into the orphanage, we were
struggling to go to school,having feeding from our father,
who is disabled.
And also we are just in thecommunity roaming about because

(02:16):
our dad was disabled and he hadto strike for the day for us to
earn our living.
We are taken into the orphanageto live and this happened
within the year 2012.
We were brought to CRC.
We were able to get propereducation and feeding, clothing
and some of the things we neededthe most which were not

(02:40):
available at the time.
We were in the community withour dad.

Speaker 2 (02:46):
What was it like living?

Speaker 3 (02:47):
in an orphanage.
Well, actually, at first it wasreally good because the things
that we were lack of especiallyeducation, feeding, clothing was
provided.
As for the moment, we saw it asa very good idea because we
were so glad and happy about it.
But as time goes on, we startedmissing the love of our dad

(03:11):
because he was not given thechance to visit us and every day
spent without him it was like,oh, when are we going to see our
dad again?
When will we talk to him again?
So it started making us sadagain, because we really loved

(03:32):
him and miss him most.

Speaker 2 (03:34):
That makes me so sad for you.

Speaker 1 (03:36):
Hannah, who do you think helped your family the
most?
Who stepped up for you and whatdid they do to help?

Speaker 3 (03:48):
the most.
Who stepped up for you and whatdid they do to help?
Well, actually, I could say theChild Rescue Center stepped up
for me, reason being at the timeof suffering.
Like I said earlier on, my dadis disabled, no wife at home
living as children with him.
He was struggling to geteverything that we needed and we

(04:13):
had no education at that moment.
So, with the help of CRC, wehad to get our education, which
we started from nursery up toprimary and secondary school
level, and also we were not lackof shelter when we were at home
with our parents.

(04:34):
It was very difficult.
It was a very difficult way ofliving.
But as time goes on, when wewere at the orphanage, thank God
he started getting the chanceof visiting us.
It was so much difficult forhim to leave us behind whenever

(04:55):
he came to visit and us alsofelt it very badly.
So for some times it wasbrought to the notice because we
were not the only one, butothers also felt the same way.
We were feeling and it was likethere was a possibility.

(05:15):
We went for holidays where wecould get time with our
relatives, so that space wascreated until we feel the taste
of father's love.
We are separated and had nochance to meet with them.
As with that, my dad was sad,because how is it possible that

(05:40):
your own children can be justtaken away from you and they can
only limit you on specifictimes to visit them, talk to
them, and that seems to be verydifficult with my dad at that
moment.
My dad actually is a blacksmith.

(06:01):
He does make tools like holes,cutlers, rags and other local
items that could be used forfarming.
That is his actual job, that hedoes for the day to earn money,
and also he was engaged into amicrofinance program.

Speaker 1 (06:28):
Please go on, Hannah.
Thank you.

Speaker 3 (06:31):
After we went to our dad, staying at home with him, I
turned to the CRC because theyenrolled him into a microfinance
program where he was taught howto handle money and do business

(06:52):
with it and with that money hewas able to engage into business
like opening a cinema forpeople to watch games
entertainment footballs, watchgame entertainment purpose and

(07:21):
also he bought tools which heused to produce other materials,
items for people to buy, and itcame to time where people came
to him to talk, just to havetime with him, some moments with
him, and also, um, he had toteach.
There are two boys, two guysthat he taught how to do the

(07:44):
blacksmith work, but absolutelythey are not staying with him
now.
They all went on their ownbecause they are now big people
and now he's doing the work withmy younger brother and a man

(08:05):
who does assist him when mybrother is not around, he
assists him to do the workinstead of him sitting alone.
And also, even though my dadbeing a disabled, it's so
difficult for him at times likedragging on the ground doing the

(08:29):
blacksmith's work, especiallywhen it's rainy season, because
rainy season sometimes there areno works.
People don't bring these toolsto shop or bring items for him
to make.
So it seems like lack of moneyfor the main time within rainy

(08:51):
season, seems like lack of moneyfor the main time within
Renicisi, and so he strikes alot to do find money for our
living, like feed us, giving usshelters.
So that was a very big obstaclehe does undergo.

Speaker 2 (09:20):
That's incredible.
It sounds like your dad was thebiggest helper of all.
The CRC gave him the power tochange his life, but he did the
work to make the changes.
You must feel so proud of him.

Speaker 3 (09:30):
Yes, I am, because with all what CRC did, he
supported so greatly, because,even though he's disabled, he
never lose hope.
He was.
He's like a strong man, ourstrong pillar, because he wants

(09:50):
to see us get a brighter futureand he wants to see us always
happy.
And with this kind of man Ithink I should be a role model
for him, because, despite hiscondition, he's always keeping a

(10:10):
deep smile to tell people that,yes, even though he's disabled,
all is not lost and he keeps onfaith, struggles hard for him
to see that, yes, the family,his country, gets its
satisfaction.

Speaker 1 (10:31):
Let's take a moment to celebrate your amazing father
and the microfinance team atthe CRC.

Speaker 2 (10:38):
Especially your dad.
He's such a great role model.
So, Hannah, you are all grownup now.
What are you doing now?
How are you following yourdad's lead in taking charge of
your life?

Speaker 3 (10:58):
How are you following your dad's lead in taking
charge of your life?
Well, actually, I'm stillattending school.
I'm trying to get to theuniversity and, with this, every
day, I do study, because thisis all what my dad is struggling
for for him to see that I geteducation and later on support

(11:28):
him when he's old.
And that's what I am lookingforward to and working hard on
for my future, because, with allhis strength, my support in us,
I would not want him to be likethat, because he has gone

(11:50):
through a lot to support me andmy siblings.
So I need to stay focused on myeducation more especially to see
that I achieve what my main aimis and make him a proud father.
And he's still strugglingbecause, with me not at the end

(12:16):
of education, he's stillstruggling to earn money in
order to support my educationand the education of my siblings
.
So he's the best dad.
I would be always proud of himbecause he's doing a lot, really

(12:36):
.
He's really doing a lot, eventhough he's disabled I could say
the way he's doing most of thepeople who are standing straight
like nothing is wrong with them.
At times, when I do myobservations, I reach doing for
the adults as, like the way, mydad is trying very hard to do

(12:59):
for me.
So I'm really glad and hopethat I will make it up one fine
day and give him the supportthat he wished for at the end.

Speaker 1 (13:13):
The Child Reintegration Center's
microfinance program has a lotof success stories.
Like your family, anna.
They've empowered lots offamilies to become able to lift
themselves out of the deepestpoverty imaginable and overcome
obstacles.
I I am a big fan of empowermentprograms and I bet you are too.

(13:34):
Sounds like it.
And such a great outcome forall of you, because your father
decided to take advantage ofwhat was offered to him and he
really changed all of your lives.

Speaker 2 (13:46):
I'm so thrilled for you, Hannah.
It's amazing what can happenwhen people choose to invest in
others and offer them genuineopportunities to learn and grow.
I think that's what Melodymeans by empowerment.

Speaker 1 (13:58):
And the real heroes are people like your dad who
take chances on themselves,believe in their own abilities
to change and act on that belieffor their children's sake.
I really do believe that.
So before we wrap up, I alwaysask our guest and our youth

(14:19):
co-host to reflect on thelessons in the story you've
shared.
This is Elena's first episodeas co-hosting, so I'm really
interested to hear what herinsights are.
But, Hannah, what's one note ofoptimism you'd like our
listeners to take away from thisstory?

Speaker 3 (14:41):
I would like our listeners to take home like
never lose hope when things aredifficult, in times of difficult
times, pray and commiteverything to God.
Because within my stories, asyou heard, my dad is disabled

(15:05):
and yet still he never loseshope.
He's a strong man who isfighting hard to see that the
family is happy.
And if you are that kind ofperson, I know one day we'll
make a better world.
Like giving all our strengths,minds and depending and focusing

(15:29):
on our dreams.
Because if you have dreams, youhave to be focused to achieve
those dreams.
And when you are focused, Iguess you you would have
achieved your dreams and thingswill be possible, even though
you think it's not possible.
Help support children to growup in families.

(15:53):
That is where they belong.

Speaker 2 (16:00):
My note of optimism from Hannah's story is that it
reminds me of how alike we allare, that family means so much
to all of us.
I think about the CRC'smicrofinance team taking a
chance on someone like Hannah'sdad and how they empowered him
to do what he needed to do tosave his family, and what that
means to Hannah and how shefeels empowered by his example.

(16:20):
I think about how often myparents have been role models
for me, and I don't even know atthe time that's what they were
doing.
I just do what they did becauseI see how they succeed.
They encourage me too.
We're all each other'scheerleaders.
I think that's the best part ofempowerment.
Hannah's dad makes meoptimistic that one day I can be
the person who has the power tochange a child's whole life by

(16:43):
being courageous and overcomingdifficulties, making them feel
safe and loved, by being willingto do anything to help them and
showing them how to keep tryingto do better no matter what
anything to help them andshowing them how to keep trying
to do better, no matter what.

Speaker 1 (17:01):
We hope today's story has inspired you all to look
around and see how you can bepart of someone's journey,
whether it's through kindness,volunteering or simply being
there and loving them.
Small actions make a bigdifference.

Speaker 2 (17:13):
Thank you, hannah, for sharing this incredible
story and thank you, listeners,for joining us today on
Optimistic Voices A Child's View.

Speaker 1 (17:22):
If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to
subscribe, share it with yourfriends and leave a review
Together.
We can all bring more storiesof hope and empowerment to light
.
We can all bring more storiesof hope and empowerment to light
.

Speaker 2 (17:35):
Until next time, remember there's always hope and
every voice matters.
Bye for now.