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5-Year-Old Girl Becomes The Sole Carer Of Her Grandmas, After Her Mother Abandons Her
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5-Year-Old Girl Becomes The Sole Carer Of Her Grandmas, After Her Mother Abandons Her

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While most 5-year-old children are in school or outside playing, little Anna Wang from Southwest China is taking care of her grandmother and great-grandmother. In fact, she is the sole caregiver for both elderly women, a role thrust upon her by circumstances no child should have to endure.

Anna’s father was sent to jail for unknown reasons when she was only 3 months old, and her mother remarried and abandoned the young girl shortly after. Left behind in the remote mountains of Zuyin with her severely arthritic grandmother and 92-year-old great-grandmother, she began gathering food and cooking for them, and undertakes other duties such as cleaning and helping her relatives to the toilet.

A generous neighbor allows Anna to pick vegetables from their farm. She has reportedly told Chinese media outlets that she does this because she wants to, and “wishes good health” for her family. A heartbreaking series of photos, however, show a childhood lost and forgotten.

More info: (h/t)

5-year-old Anna Wang from China is the sole caregiver for her ill grandmother and 92-year-old great-grandmother

Since her elderly relatives are bedridden, Anna cooks for them and feeds them every day, while other children play and go to school

She undertakes other chores such as cleaning the house, bathing her relatives, and helping them to the toilet

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The family lives in a modest house in the remote mountains of Zuyin, Southwest China

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Anna wakes up early every morning to begin attending to her duties, and has no other family or friends to support her

When Anna was just 3 months old, her father was sent to jail for unknown reasons

Her mother, who remarried shortly after, abandoned young Anna and left her to provide for her ailing relatives

She stands on a stool and stretches her small body over the stove as she prepares family meals

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A generous neighbor who owns a farm allows Anna to take vegetables from it, which she caries on her back

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Her grandmother has severe septic arthritis, and can barely take care of herself without Anna’s help

She has reportedly told Chinese media that she does this because she wants to, and “wishes good health” for her family

However, no child should have to endure these circumstances, and Anna visibly mourns the life she could’ve had

A photo of her father is all she has left of her stolen childhood

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hannau avatar
Hanna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since the Chinese media has taken up this story is there no one that can help them? Gosh, how will they cope for money to buy warm clothes. Thank goodness for the neighbour letting them take vegetables. My heart is breaking :(

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG! How a woman can abandon her children?????? She's the one who should be sent to prison

david_yoon3 avatar
David Yoon
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is CHINA. Females babies are abandoned all the time. The U.S. version of this is a young child raising their siblings.

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ecletracelis avatar
Edlyn Racelis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this heartbreaking and adorable at the same time. How could her own mother abandon her and let the child take care of her mom and grandma. She is so heartless. Dear God please bless this child and the elderly

jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree Edlyn. Its so tragic and the two elderly relatives must be her father's mother and grandmother. But it makes no sense to abandon the poor little child.

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cassiewilliams avatar
Cassie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was her age, my mom had cancer and died a couple of years later. My father was away at work every day. I did a lot of caring for myself, but I didn't have to fetch my own food or care for others who needed it. I cannot imagine what this kiddo is going through. If she lived near me, I would go over there an help her. How do you help somebody so far away yet so in need? It's not even money she needs so much as people who care. I hope people in her community come to her aid. This is just heartbreaking.

nedov-marcela avatar
DancingToMyself
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! People! This little girl desperately needs adults (even if she does not knows it) to take care for HER. Not the oder way around. It's heart breaking. And what does it mean that father is in prison, but they do not know why or for how long?! That's unbearable. We knows she need help, but we can't help her? She don't have any community to take care, or even help her a little, she only has those neighbors who letting her take the vegetables from their garden. I don't understand how the government letting this go? Small girl taking ALL care for herself, and two old women??? I'm sorry for all that happened to you, but you can understand everything I'm asking myself. There is nobody to take care for this? They gave us the pics, and now what?! Now we can peacefully go to sleep, tomorrow is new day?! Dear Lord... :/

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tamei2016 avatar
Ta Mei
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boredpanda, you can't post a story like this and not continue to find out ways to help. This is not some cat content click-generating funny story. Yes, this may be only one single tragedy out of probably a thousand and more, but still you can't post something like this and have us watching this and go on with business. Please do post a way to help this poor child. My goodness.

sammij112 avatar
Samantha Klabis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Stella is there a way we can help this little girl out? When can we send donations. Money won't give her a childhood but it will help her make it to tomorrow.

sumiechu avatar
Sumie Chew
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would also like to donate to this child if there is anyway of finding out where we can send stuff to her

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laceykids25 avatar
AnimalLover1117
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last picture crushed me. This kid is amazing and she deserves the best education! Inspirational 😊

lell-gee avatar
Lell Gee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Chinese government should release the father early in these circumstances, poor little mite, the mother is shameful for abandoning her daughter to this.

gracebarclay avatar
Grace Barclay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way too many children in the world are doing this. I know this happens in South Africa. Child headed households too.

kathleendemarcellus avatar
Bunnies are better!!
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did the Chinese media take pictures but aren't helping her? or am i being clueless and somehow missed a detail?

florapolvado avatar
Flora Polvado
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trying to be optimistic here. She is already self confident and capable. I wasn't til my 30s. Wish she could take those skills to school.

malvinfoo avatar
Ya Habibi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart broke to know that she, decided to execute a choice willingly to take up a life impacting decision.Such love, courage determination

ghostzombie2015 avatar
Puddin Tane
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her mother should be ashamed of herself. This *little* girl needs to be in school getting an education. Her mother made an unspoken promise when she had her, that she would love her, provide for her, care for her and *never* leave her. She broke all those promises. She needs to spend some time behind bars!

whitetiger9724 avatar
Ben Dugas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After doing a search I can't seem to find any links to help this poor family. Does anyone know of any way we can help and send care packages or money?

gertrude_wilkes avatar
Gertrude Wilkes
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a whole lot of this story is missing. No child is born knowing how to cook clean and care for others. How did she develop these skills if her grandmother and great grandmother are so incapacitated? How is it she had a cosy coat that fits her. That is not the clothing of a three month old?

norahoramora avatar
Nora H.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her grandmas could have taught her by telling her how. And poor people many places find clothes and other basic necessities by going through other peoples trash. Small children can be quite capable lil' survivors if conditions are tough. Sadly most children of the world are not as fortunate as the children in the west who have happy long and carefree childhoods with their every need tended to by privileged and ressourceful parents. Most of the worlds children have to work from a young age and contribute to the familys income and survival. We are extremely lucky who live in the wealthy western countries. Too many of us take our blessings for granted and forget to appreciate how overly privileged we really are. Most of us have so much more than we actually need. It is shameful how very unevenly the riches of the world are distributed.

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notelover avatar
carmen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think all of you people need to stop judging the mother, as an adopted Chinese who actually WAS abandoned, I think that you don't have the right to judge the mother, or any mother in that state. We are all in countries that have resources for women like Anna's mom, in China, we do not, this is not a rare occurrence, or a burden seen in China. Instead of passing blind judgements online, try fixing the problem, like donating to an orphanage or welfare services in China.

winston931 avatar
Lee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another thing to note is that she can't even receive a decent education due to 1. She is located in remote mountains with presumably no elementary school or even teachers. 2. There is virtually no income for her and the welfare one could obtain is next to nothing. 3.The college entrance exam competition is insanely fierce. Students in Shanghai, in fact, enjoys a separate examination system apart from other provinces so that they could secure their spot more easily. But I bet she will overcome all these barriers imposed by the government and society and eventually prevail.

leoninusfate avatar
Leoninus Fate
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Japanese, when I was 7 my mother was killed in front of me, it was a small town of like 30 people and they were like all over 60, they were like super superstitious and I was born albino and out of wedlock, who we were treated like I was a "demon"...... their stupid-ness and fear led them to try and kill me and instead shot my mother, I was then sent to an orphanage that was doubled as a mental asylum, I was put in the latter part after a while for reason, where I ended up losing an eye to a screwdriver in the eye that 3 "workers" had after trapping me in my room and trying to rape me {this was a really really backward area so it wasn't too uncommon to hear bad s**t happening near it}, They were found out the next day when I didn't show up for something......... I know it all sounds "hard/made up/messed up".... but it's true, my life was hard, that's was just the beginning of it, but now my life is great and I'm turning 29 in a few months, all That bad stuff helped me to be me

emmathomas avatar
Emma Thomas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had the $$ I would make sure Anna and her grandmothers had what the needed so Anna could have a childhood.

levchek avatar
Lev Pavlovski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a heart-breaking story, but I cannot go past the fact that our "Western" idea of childhood is way too romanticised anyways -- the whole living-in-a-protective-buble thing with perfect education, expensive clothes and bottled mashed baby food. The childhood on the pictures is a sad reality for millions of children worldwide. :'(

anna_brown avatar
Anna Brown
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God bless the amazing little sweetheart! 😊😢😲 can't the people who took pictures set up crowdfunding or something so we can help??

khurana_saba avatar
Saba Khurana
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tell me the source of this story. Where did you find it? I wish to know more and help this child in any way if i can. Please send me a mail - khurana.saba@gmail.com

iapetosdertitan avatar
Iapetos
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope her grandmother and her great-grandmother can give her back all the love she won't get from her mother. I don't understand the behavior of her mother. It's grotesque in my eyes. And I am deeply impressed by this kid, yet I desperately think she'd rather need a joyful childhood!!

sarahlennie avatar
Sarah Lennie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the other man did not want her child, then she should have kicked that guy in the a**e and stayed with her child. There is no excuse.

varwenea avatar
varwenea
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart is broken. Seriously. This child has a hard life now and will have just as difficult one when her 90+ years old grandmothers pass away. I hope she will be adopted and have a fruitful life downstream. The adoption will be challenging as an older child and as a girl in China. Maybe this story will inspire some kind soul to step up.

kathleendemarcellus avatar
Bunnies are better!!
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would totally take in all free of them if i could. This girl totally deserves the best in life!!

leanne9471 avatar
Mick and Lee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bless her little soul. It's hard to believe what such young beings are capable of if they are forced into it. Like North Korean children playing the piano beautifully at age 6. Crazy. Praying that all three ladies receive the break they deserve soon.

hannau avatar
Hanna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mick and Lee: what does piano playing in a rich child's world have to do with a small orphaned child at 5 having to care for grand parents.?

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quant avatar
Quant
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While this sucks, it still beats being an orphan altogether. China has a huge problem with raising its children, we're not talking one, one thousand, or even one million: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-06/millions-of-chinas-children-left-behind/7816010 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-35994481

tattonbutterfly avatar
Katrina Johnson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you Quant. I believe that their culture teaches the young responsibilities that we do not teach until our young are older. Chinese children are left with the elderly and abandoned especially if a woman is to remarry. New husbands do not want to take previous husbands children. They would be shunned and abused in future mothers life.

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khamokha avatar
Mohammad Khalid Khan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderfully the most beautiful!! But how come kooking gas, other eatables, dresses etc. are being arranged?! ....And how on Earth this innocent child dressed her up?! ...Is there some video clips are available there of this Great Homemaker (by default!)?!

kawaguchinozomi avatar
Kawaguchi Nozomi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish there's any solution to help 'em and let her study. I cannot believe this story because my 5 years old cousin is always thinking about Nintendo switch and that's absolutely natural

bigbaggypants3 avatar
Natalie Holroyd
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reckon she will be rich when she's older this little girl is courageous, strong and self efficient will be her mum be begging for the daughter she left behind when she's rich and a big name someday .

christinekunyeda avatar
Christine Tumuhairwe
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally grew up with my grandma and she made me the person I am today. But she was strong to do it. I can't help but cry at the heartbreaking pictures of the little girl. She can't go through this. This child deserves to go to school, have friends and enjoy her childhood. I know that we that have read her story will try our best to help her...

jazmynbjaz avatar
Jazmyn B (Jaz)
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That final photo, after all the other loving photos of a strong family connection/relationship, just made me shudder with sadness. So many people have to learn from this beautiful girl called Anna, she's just a great inspiration for those children also abandoned by their parents at a very young age.

sara-otterstaetter avatar
Sara Otterstätter
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a documentary here on television about "Prison-orphans", children of convicted criminals in China. The cases in the documentary were mostly of people on death row who had children. But in the base it was, that the whole family is basically tainted and guilty when one of them commits a crime. Yes, the children too. That's why they are shunned in society or even abandoned by the families. This happens especially in villages or more rural areas of China. The documentary was about an orphanage for such abandoned children, that was run by a former prison guard. She became concerned about the wellbeing of the children of the inmates and started this orphanage. I think this way of thinking steems from the idea, that the family is viewed as a whole entitiy, and not as a group of individuals. And if one of the family does a bad thing, it is sort of ingrained in the whole family. This is of course not true, but it is part of the thinking.

sagould avatar
S A GOULD
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THE KIND OF STORY where I wonder less about the noble 5 yr old, and more about those who documented it. Someone alerted someone who professionally photographed this, somewhere the should be a story with this. Does Bored Panda just excerpt from other sources? And with or without photographers permission?

melissahuynh avatar
Mel
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone should find the mother and charge her for abandoning this family. F*king heartless witch.

bzap724 avatar
Maureen Zappellini
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How horrible and sad- I hope somebody can help her- she shouldn't have to endure this for even one day! Too young, innocence lost. :-(

david_yoon3 avatar
David Yoon
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad, but this is China. There's an infinite number of girls who have it worse. In China, mothers want sons, not daughters.

amra_ce avatar
Amra Chamberlain
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sad :-( is there a way to help her My heart is breaking Can we all donate stuff to help her?

tamei2016 avatar
Ta Mei
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I enjoy Boredpanda for design, artistry, cartoons and cats. Small things to make one laugh or appreciate the arts. But posting a story like this one as just one more picture story, to be shown and then after some time being replaced by new cat content, this is NOT enough. Boredpanda, please do find out a way to help this poor child. Yes, many children are suffering and this may be only an example of many, but posting and watching this and then getting on doing nothing is shameful.

elizabethnewton avatar
Elizabeth Newton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so unfair. A child her age should not have so much responsibility dumped on her shoulders. Do we know if anyone has/is doing anything to help her situation?

totallymagicalunicorn avatar
Totally Magical Unicorn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor people. This must be awful for the grandmothers as well, knowing how much of a burden they are. Awful situation for everyone.

vberryd avatar
Tecolote
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know how to react to this piece. If only we had a way to help this child. She and her grandma's deserve so much better than this. This hurts me deeply, if only there was something we could all do to help her!

samanthayu9212 avatar
DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel she is gonna have a good and bright future because of what she did!

samanthayu9212 avatar
DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am going to give back! No child should go through this type of life!

samanthayu9212 avatar
DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last picture of her crying made me cry! I mean who abandons their child to sick relatives that the daughter takes care of!?

cenkkaraferya avatar
Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so sad... If a society can't take care of their elderly, young and the disabled what kind of a society is that!?

ldao avatar
ldao
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad, and the future does not look good unless someone adopts her. One day both her grandmas will pass on, i can't fathom how a parent could abandon their daughter...

croppeduniform avatar
Heather Brotherton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor child is growing up a slave with no future. She will be completely alone in 10 years. She is 5, she is not capable of deciding whether she wants to care for her realizes or go to school. She is stuck with her circumstances.

gloriabaker avatar
Gloria Baker
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IDK but it sounds as a fake story ...: I mean may be she does some stuff but I dont think is like that , it could be one of those made up stories that get posted from time to time .

natalialanao avatar
Natalia Lanao
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It may be since bored panda doesn't take any sort of precautions to ensure that it's information is verified. They are mainly using click bait.

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Miguel Arista
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you not tear up reading this!? ... Is there like contact info or maybe a GoFundMe account or something where we can all help these beautiful pleople?

aviya-carmen avatar
Aviya Carmen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just one of the many unfortunate children in China. Is there anything we could do to help?

bonnie-robb-3 avatar
Karren Collins
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This little angel's mother did not deserve her. I pray she will get help and be happy all her life.

kf_samandari avatar
.gas.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very sad. Not only for the last photo, but that she should be having fun and experiencing a nice childhood. The grandparents will pass, and she'll be alone. I hope someone adopts her or at least offers to help.

ssafin321321 avatar
sofia
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can not i just cant i literally burst into tears at the last photos .i wish i could help this girl but i just do not know how. i hope her community helps her out.

thestarsareeyes avatar
Alice Black
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This, I believe, is one of the tragic side effects of China's one child policy. The mother probably abandoned her because she's a girl.

donahopande avatar
Donah Opande
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That last picture broke my heart. Am so sorry you have to experience the cruelty of the world at such a young age.

melbjerregaard avatar
Mel Biago
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter is 5. She's still a baby to me, the idea of her being a primary caretaker is heartbreaking, her life has barely started 😢 That poor baby girl

celentalmidnight avatar
Celental Midnight
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a courageous, kind, sweet child. I hope that she will forever be blessed.

emanuellerivera avatar
Emanuelle Rivera
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wao we don't now circumstances the mother leave the home but you never abandon a child with Olds lady's

hannau avatar
Hanna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since the Chinese media has taken up this story is there no one that can help them? Gosh, how will they cope for money to buy warm clothes. Thank goodness for the neighbour letting them take vegetables. My heart is breaking :(

kjorn avatar
Kjorn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG! How a woman can abandon her children?????? She's the one who should be sent to prison

david_yoon3 avatar
David Yoon
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is CHINA. Females babies are abandoned all the time. The U.S. version of this is a young child raising their siblings.

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ecletracelis avatar
Edlyn Racelis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this heartbreaking and adorable at the same time. How could her own mother abandon her and let the child take care of her mom and grandma. She is so heartless. Dear God please bless this child and the elderly

jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree Edlyn. Its so tragic and the two elderly relatives must be her father's mother and grandmother. But it makes no sense to abandon the poor little child.

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Cassie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was her age, my mom had cancer and died a couple of years later. My father was away at work every day. I did a lot of caring for myself, but I didn't have to fetch my own food or care for others who needed it. I cannot imagine what this kiddo is going through. If she lived near me, I would go over there an help her. How do you help somebody so far away yet so in need? It's not even money she needs so much as people who care. I hope people in her community come to her aid. This is just heartbreaking.

nedov-marcela avatar
DancingToMyself
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! People! This little girl desperately needs adults (even if she does not knows it) to take care for HER. Not the oder way around. It's heart breaking. And what does it mean that father is in prison, but they do not know why or for how long?! That's unbearable. We knows she need help, but we can't help her? She don't have any community to take care, or even help her a little, she only has those neighbors who letting her take the vegetables from their garden. I don't understand how the government letting this go? Small girl taking ALL care for herself, and two old women??? I'm sorry for all that happened to you, but you can understand everything I'm asking myself. There is nobody to take care for this? They gave us the pics, and now what?! Now we can peacefully go to sleep, tomorrow is new day?! Dear Lord... :/

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Ta Mei
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boredpanda, you can't post a story like this and not continue to find out ways to help. This is not some cat content click-generating funny story. Yes, this may be only one single tragedy out of probably a thousand and more, but still you can't post something like this and have us watching this and go on with business. Please do post a way to help this poor child. My goodness.

sammij112 avatar
Samantha Klabis
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Stella is there a way we can help this little girl out? When can we send donations. Money won't give her a childhood but it will help her make it to tomorrow.

sumiechu avatar
Sumie Chew
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would also like to donate to this child if there is anyway of finding out where we can send stuff to her

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AnimalLover1117
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last picture crushed me. This kid is amazing and she deserves the best education! Inspirational 😊

lell-gee avatar
Lell Gee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Chinese government should release the father early in these circumstances, poor little mite, the mother is shameful for abandoning her daughter to this.

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Grace Barclay
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Way too many children in the world are doing this. I know this happens in South Africa. Child headed households too.

kathleendemarcellus avatar
Bunnies are better!!
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did the Chinese media take pictures but aren't helping her? or am i being clueless and somehow missed a detail?

florapolvado avatar
Flora Polvado
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trying to be optimistic here. She is already self confident and capable. I wasn't til my 30s. Wish she could take those skills to school.

malvinfoo avatar
Ya Habibi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart broke to know that she, decided to execute a choice willingly to take up a life impacting decision.Such love, courage determination

ghostzombie2015 avatar
Puddin Tane
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her mother should be ashamed of herself. This *little* girl needs to be in school getting an education. Her mother made an unspoken promise when she had her, that she would love her, provide for her, care for her and *never* leave her. She broke all those promises. She needs to spend some time behind bars!

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Ben Dugas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After doing a search I can't seem to find any links to help this poor family. Does anyone know of any way we can help and send care packages or money?

gertrude_wilkes avatar
Gertrude Wilkes
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think a whole lot of this story is missing. No child is born knowing how to cook clean and care for others. How did she develop these skills if her grandmother and great grandmother are so incapacitated? How is it she had a cosy coat that fits her. That is not the clothing of a three month old?

norahoramora avatar
Nora H.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her grandmas could have taught her by telling her how. And poor people many places find clothes and other basic necessities by going through other peoples trash. Small children can be quite capable lil' survivors if conditions are tough. Sadly most children of the world are not as fortunate as the children in the west who have happy long and carefree childhoods with their every need tended to by privileged and ressourceful parents. Most of the worlds children have to work from a young age and contribute to the familys income and survival. We are extremely lucky who live in the wealthy western countries. Too many of us take our blessings for granted and forget to appreciate how overly privileged we really are. Most of us have so much more than we actually need. It is shameful how very unevenly the riches of the world are distributed.

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carmen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think all of you people need to stop judging the mother, as an adopted Chinese who actually WAS abandoned, I think that you don't have the right to judge the mother, or any mother in that state. We are all in countries that have resources for women like Anna's mom, in China, we do not, this is not a rare occurrence, or a burden seen in China. Instead of passing blind judgements online, try fixing the problem, like donating to an orphanage or welfare services in China.

winston931 avatar
Lee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another thing to note is that she can't even receive a decent education due to 1. She is located in remote mountains with presumably no elementary school or even teachers. 2. There is virtually no income for her and the welfare one could obtain is next to nothing. 3.The college entrance exam competition is insanely fierce. Students in Shanghai, in fact, enjoys a separate examination system apart from other provinces so that they could secure their spot more easily. But I bet she will overcome all these barriers imposed by the government and society and eventually prevail.

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Leoninus Fate
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm Japanese, when I was 7 my mother was killed in front of me, it was a small town of like 30 people and they were like all over 60, they were like super superstitious and I was born albino and out of wedlock, who we were treated like I was a "demon"...... their stupid-ness and fear led them to try and kill me and instead shot my mother, I was then sent to an orphanage that was doubled as a mental asylum, I was put in the latter part after a while for reason, where I ended up losing an eye to a screwdriver in the eye that 3 "workers" had after trapping me in my room and trying to rape me {this was a really really backward area so it wasn't too uncommon to hear bad s**t happening near it}, They were found out the next day when I didn't show up for something......... I know it all sounds "hard/made up/messed up".... but it's true, my life was hard, that's was just the beginning of it, but now my life is great and I'm turning 29 in a few months, all That bad stuff helped me to be me

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Emma Thomas
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I had the $$ I would make sure Anna and her grandmothers had what the needed so Anna could have a childhood.

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Lev Pavlovski
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a heart-breaking story, but I cannot go past the fact that our "Western" idea of childhood is way too romanticised anyways -- the whole living-in-a-protective-buble thing with perfect education, expensive clothes and bottled mashed baby food. The childhood on the pictures is a sad reality for millions of children worldwide. :'(

anna_brown avatar
Anna Brown
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God bless the amazing little sweetheart! 😊😢😲 can't the people who took pictures set up crowdfunding or something so we can help??

khurana_saba avatar
Saba Khurana
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please tell me the source of this story. Where did you find it? I wish to know more and help this child in any way if i can. Please send me a mail - khurana.saba@gmail.com

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Iapetos
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope her grandmother and her great-grandmother can give her back all the love she won't get from her mother. I don't understand the behavior of her mother. It's grotesque in my eyes. And I am deeply impressed by this kid, yet I desperately think she'd rather need a joyful childhood!!

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Sarah Lennie
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the other man did not want her child, then she should have kicked that guy in the a**e and stayed with her child. There is no excuse.

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varwenea
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart is broken. Seriously. This child has a hard life now and will have just as difficult one when her 90+ years old grandmothers pass away. I hope she will be adopted and have a fruitful life downstream. The adoption will be challenging as an older child and as a girl in China. Maybe this story will inspire some kind soul to step up.

kathleendemarcellus avatar
Bunnies are better!!
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would totally take in all free of them if i could. This girl totally deserves the best in life!!

leanne9471 avatar
Mick and Lee
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bless her little soul. It's hard to believe what such young beings are capable of if they are forced into it. Like North Korean children playing the piano beautifully at age 6. Crazy. Praying that all three ladies receive the break they deserve soon.

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Hanna
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mick and Lee: what does piano playing in a rich child's world have to do with a small orphaned child at 5 having to care for grand parents.?

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quant avatar
Quant
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While this sucks, it still beats being an orphan altogether. China has a huge problem with raising its children, we're not talking one, one thousand, or even one million: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-06/millions-of-chinas-children-left-behind/7816010 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-35994481

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Katrina Johnson
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you Quant. I believe that their culture teaches the young responsibilities that we do not teach until our young are older. Chinese children are left with the elderly and abandoned especially if a woman is to remarry. New husbands do not want to take previous husbands children. They would be shunned and abused in future mothers life.

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Mohammad Khalid Khan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderfully the most beautiful!! But how come kooking gas, other eatables, dresses etc. are being arranged?! ....And how on Earth this innocent child dressed her up?! ...Is there some video clips are available there of this Great Homemaker (by default!)?!

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Kawaguchi Nozomi
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish there's any solution to help 'em and let her study. I cannot believe this story because my 5 years old cousin is always thinking about Nintendo switch and that's absolutely natural

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Natalie Holroyd
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reckon she will be rich when she's older this little girl is courageous, strong and self efficient will be her mum be begging for the daughter she left behind when she's rich and a big name someday .

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Christine Tumuhairwe
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I personally grew up with my grandma and she made me the person I am today. But she was strong to do it. I can't help but cry at the heartbreaking pictures of the little girl. She can't go through this. This child deserves to go to school, have friends and enjoy her childhood. I know that we that have read her story will try our best to help her...

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Jazmyn B (Jaz)
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That final photo, after all the other loving photos of a strong family connection/relationship, just made me shudder with sadness. So many people have to learn from this beautiful girl called Anna, she's just a great inspiration for those children also abandoned by their parents at a very young age.

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Sara Otterstätter
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a documentary here on television about "Prison-orphans", children of convicted criminals in China. The cases in the documentary were mostly of people on death row who had children. But in the base it was, that the whole family is basically tainted and guilty when one of them commits a crime. Yes, the children too. That's why they are shunned in society or even abandoned by the families. This happens especially in villages or more rural areas of China. The documentary was about an orphanage for such abandoned children, that was run by a former prison guard. She became concerned about the wellbeing of the children of the inmates and started this orphanage. I think this way of thinking steems from the idea, that the family is viewed as a whole entitiy, and not as a group of individuals. And if one of the family does a bad thing, it is sort of ingrained in the whole family. This is of course not true, but it is part of the thinking.

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S A GOULD
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THE KIND OF STORY where I wonder less about the noble 5 yr old, and more about those who documented it. Someone alerted someone who professionally photographed this, somewhere the should be a story with this. Does Bored Panda just excerpt from other sources? And with or without photographers permission?

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Mel
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone should find the mother and charge her for abandoning this family. F*king heartless witch.

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Maureen Zappellini
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How horrible and sad- I hope somebody can help her- she shouldn't have to endure this for even one day! Too young, innocence lost. :-(

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David Yoon
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad, but this is China. There's an infinite number of girls who have it worse. In China, mothers want sons, not daughters.

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Amra Chamberlain
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so sad :-( is there a way to help her My heart is breaking Can we all donate stuff to help her?

tamei2016 avatar
Ta Mei
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I enjoy Boredpanda for design, artistry, cartoons and cats. Small things to make one laugh or appreciate the arts. But posting a story like this one as just one more picture story, to be shown and then after some time being replaced by new cat content, this is NOT enough. Boredpanda, please do find out a way to help this poor child. Yes, many children are suffering and this may be only an example of many, but posting and watching this and then getting on doing nothing is shameful.

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Elizabeth Newton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so unfair. A child her age should not have so much responsibility dumped on her shoulders. Do we know if anyone has/is doing anything to help her situation?

totallymagicalunicorn avatar
Totally Magical Unicorn
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor people. This must be awful for the grandmothers as well, knowing how much of a burden they are. Awful situation for everyone.

vberryd avatar
Tecolote
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know how to react to this piece. If only we had a way to help this child. She and her grandma's deserve so much better than this. This hurts me deeply, if only there was something we could all do to help her!

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DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel she is gonna have a good and bright future because of what she did!

samanthayu9212 avatar
DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am going to give back! No child should go through this type of life!

samanthayu9212 avatar
DisneyworldFAN
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The last picture of her crying made me cry! I mean who abandons their child to sick relatives that the daughter takes care of!?

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Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so sad... If a society can't take care of their elderly, young and the disabled what kind of a society is that!?

ldao avatar
ldao
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very sad, and the future does not look good unless someone adopts her. One day both her grandmas will pass on, i can't fathom how a parent could abandon their daughter...

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Heather Brotherton
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor child is growing up a slave with no future. She will be completely alone in 10 years. She is 5, she is not capable of deciding whether she wants to care for her realizes or go to school. She is stuck with her circumstances.

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Gloria Baker
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IDK but it sounds as a fake story ...: I mean may be she does some stuff but I dont think is like that , it could be one of those made up stories that get posted from time to time .

natalialanao avatar
Natalia Lanao
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It may be since bored panda doesn't take any sort of precautions to ensure that it's information is verified. They are mainly using click bait.

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Miguel Arista
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you not tear up reading this!? ... Is there like contact info or maybe a GoFundMe account or something where we can all help these beautiful pleople?

aviya-carmen avatar
Aviya Carmen
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just one of the many unfortunate children in China. Is there anything we could do to help?

bonnie-robb-3 avatar
Karren Collins
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This little angel's mother did not deserve her. I pray she will get help and be happy all her life.

kf_samandari avatar
.gas.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very sad. Not only for the last photo, but that she should be having fun and experiencing a nice childhood. The grandparents will pass, and she'll be alone. I hope someone adopts her or at least offers to help.

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sofia
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i can not i just cant i literally burst into tears at the last photos .i wish i could help this girl but i just do not know how. i hope her community helps her out.

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Alice Black
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This, I believe, is one of the tragic side effects of China's one child policy. The mother probably abandoned her because she's a girl.

donahopande avatar
Donah Opande
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That last picture broke my heart. Am so sorry you have to experience the cruelty of the world at such a young age.

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Mel Biago
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter is 5. She's still a baby to me, the idea of her being a primary caretaker is heartbreaking, her life has barely started 😢 That poor baby girl

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Celental Midnight
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a courageous, kind, sweet child. I hope that she will forever be blessed.

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Emanuelle Rivera
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wao we don't now circumstances the mother leave the home but you never abandon a child with Olds lady's

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