Cindy Peterson. My mother, Sophie Sherman, was 16 years old when she gave birth to me in 1963 and died very shortly afterward. Her presumed husband, Mr. Peterson, was unfindable. The nurses named me Cindy after Cinderella. I grew up in orphanages. At times, I felt abandoned on the doorstep of the wrong planet.
Sahara Sutter, Author – Throughout my travels around the world, I have seen many challenging situations. I’ve seen family bonds weaken when survival skills were strained in stressful environments. Essential resources such as medical care, food, and clean water were often scarce. As were a parent or two at times.
In Ecuador, I enjoyed spending time with the children. I brought toothbrushes and showed them how to use them. After teaching the children how to play hopscotch, the watching parents’ pride and love were evident. Despite the conditions, their concern for one another was clear. Throughout my travels, besides love and pride, I’ve noticed many people lack another essential element for getting through life — hope.
