Grace Somana, 21, knows loss in a way few can imagine. She grew up without a mother, a father, or any family to call her own. As a toddler, security agents brought her to a children’s center after the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in Kakalali tragically killed her parents. Left with no trace of her origins, Grace entered life with only God’s guidance and the care of Mama Marie, one of the few who remembers her earliest days.

Even in the face of such hardship, Grace discovered her calling early. By the age of eight, she instinctively began caring for the other children at the center, comforting them, sharing her limited belongings, and showing a maturity beyond her years. As she reflects, “Helping the other children brought me joy, and I knew that through serving them, I was living out God’s love in my life.”

Though she lacked a traditional family, Grace became a source of warmth and stability, demonstrating that compassion can flourish even in the absence of parents.

As Mama Marie grew older and became less able to manage the center’s daily demands, Grace stepped into a greater role of responsibility. At fifteen, she took on cooking, washing, and caring for all the children, working tirelessly from dawn to dusk. The labor was grueling, and over time the physical toll on her young body became evident. Bending, lifting, and long hours caused pain in her vertebral column, yet she continued out of love for the children she considered her family. “I may have lost my parents, but God has never left me. Through Him, I found purpose, hope, and the courage to serve those around me,” she says, reflecting the deep faith that has carried her through her journey.

Recognizing her physical strain, support came through the generosity of Care River, which provided a supportive belt to help ease her back pain. Grace expressed her gratitude with humility and trust in God’s provision: “I thank Care River so much for this support of a belt. May God bless you so much. I got a problem with my vertebral column from doing manual tasks to help my brothers and sisters. I thank God for your support because I know with this belt I will be okay.”

Grace’s life is a living testament to faith, resilience, and love in action. Through her story, we see how God can use even the most painful circumstances to raise a heart of compassion. From an orphaned child to a young woman caring for others, Grace embodies the very grace her name declares, offering hope and inspiration to all who hear her journey.”

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