Home Alone Night and Day

10-year-old Sergio lives home alone five nights a week.  He sleeps in a hut built by his mother. There’s no electricity, no running water and no locks to keep out intruders.    

“One night, when I was falling asleep, someone came in,” recalled a frightened Sergio.  “I think he got scared when he heard me sit up. I was terrified that he would come back and hurt me.”

Sergio is also hungry.   He lives next to a garbage dump, where he sometime searches for food.

“I looked for anything in the dump that didn’t smell bad,” said the youngster. “But sometimes the things I ate made me throw up.  I kept searching because there were no more options.  When you're starving and it’s your only option—and you take it.”

Sergio waits at the window Saturday mornings. It’s the day his mom Luz returns from a week working away from home.  She makes charcoal by hand and earns less than a dollar a day.

“My mom is a fighter woman who never gives up,” said Sergio beginning to cry. “I love my mom! She’s so good and helps me in everything.”

Operation Blessing first met Sergio at his school where we gave him some new shoes.  That’s where we heard that he lived alone during the week and that his mom worked far from home.  

So, we trained Luz how to run a business.  Then we gave her a cart and everything needed to sell food and snacks.  

“This new business will allow me to earn money and take better care of Sergio!” said Sergio’s mom with a smile.  

Then we built the family a new house with a door and a lock—and a gave Sergio a new bed, something he’s never had before.   

“Thank you, Operation Blessing!” said the grateful child. “You gave me a safe place and new bed.  And my mom now lives here every day with me!  You are the best.”