Capturing the Heart of Fatherhood

This month, we recognize devoted dads around the world who sacrifice and strive to give their children a better life. Here are five fathers who — through hard work and donor support — are breaking the cycle of poverty.

Around the world, fathers give everything they have to care for their children. These dads rise early, work long hours and make countless sacrifices to ensure their families are safe, fed and have what they need for the future.

But sometimes, even their hardest work isn’t enough to meet their children’s most basic needs. And you have the power to help.

Through Gifts of Hope, Holt donors provide exactly what these fathers need to care for their families with confidence. Gifts like livestock, garden seeds and tools, fishing kits and home repairs are life changing. These gifts help meet basic needs like food and safe shelter, empower parents to earn an income, and help families break the cycle of poverty — for good!

Here are five fathers around the world who embody the heart of fatherhood. Thanks to your generosity, they received the support and encouragement they needed to continue providing for their families with strength and hope.

Anurak — A Father Who Shows Up Every Day

Anurak is a devoted father raising his two sons, Kovit and Kasem, in Thailand.

After their mother left, Anurak became their sole caregiver — doing everything he could to provide for them, even when times were tough. He works long hours as a day laborer, and though he earns very little, he never lets his sons go without.

With support from Holt’s local partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation, and donors like you, Anurak receives help with food, school supplies and other essentials — giving him the strength and stability to keep his family together.

“The way [I] parented before, it was more about the physical needs of the children. To feed them, to have them get enough sleep, things like that,” Anurak says. “But what I learned from the social worker and Holt Sahathai is more of the psychological and emotional aspects of the children. And being the parent, you need to not just let your child grow naturally, but as parents we need to get involved in their activities and stimulate them.”

Anurak is a single father, but he is anything but alone. He is supported and empowered to raise his sons and give them a brighter future.

Fahim — A Father Who Supports His Children’s Dreams

Fahim is a loving father of three in Bangalore, India. He and his family migrated from a rural village to a large city in search of a better life. Fahim began work as a daily wage carpenter while his wife cared for their newborn baby.

But one day, Fahim went to the hospital in severe pain, which turned into emergency surgery for appendicitis. While Fahim recovered, his family had no source of income — and without help, they risked falling into high-interest debt just to cover food, rent and school fees.

But through the support of donors and Holt’s local partner, Vathsalya Charitable Trust, Fahim’s family received emergency support to stay strong.

“Not even the closest people in our life would help us like that. And people who are living in other places who do not even know us have given us this support,” Fahim says.

His children also received educational support to stay enrolled in school, where they are learning their way out of poverty.

“My father walks me to school each day,” Fahim’s son, Ankur, says with a shy smile. Five-year-old Ankur is in preschool and says he wants to join the army when he grows up.

“My eldest daughter wants to become a doctor. I want to do my best to make her dream come true,” Fahim says. “For all of my children, whatever they want to achieve, they should achieve, and I will be there to support them. … I love them.”

Lhagvajav — A Father Who Keeps His Promises

Lhagvajav is a devoted father who is raising his six children in rural Mongolia. Life in their remote community is difficult, but he works tirelessly — raising cattle, chopping wood and doing whatever it takes to provide a safe, nurturing home for his family.

“I want my children to get a better education and grow up to be good citizens,” Lhagvajav said. “Everybody thinks this way. This is a father’s and mother’s dream for their children.”

Several years ago, through Gifts of Hope, Lhagvajav received a ger — a traditional Mongolian home — offering warmth and shelter through the brutally cold winters. He promised to use this gift as a foundation for a better future.

Then, disaster struck. A devastating flood destroyed the ger. But Lhagvajav never gave up. With renewed support from Holt Mongolia and generous donors, he rebuilt a safe place for his family.

Today, his children are thriving — and his hope for their future is stronger than ever.

Burhan — A Father Who Teaches His Children to Hope

Burhan is a committed father providing for his family in a coastal village in Thailand. He rises before dawn to fish — not just to feed his family, but to teach his children, Anis, Nada and Daris, the value of hard work and hope.

Burhan and his family also tend a small garden and raise ducks — simple but powerful resources that provide both food and income. These gifts, made possible by generous donors, help Burhan care for his children with dignity and hope. And Burhan continues to guide them each day, teaching both how to fish and how to dream.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Anis says, “A pilot. I want to fly!”

With support from Holt’s local partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation, and generous donors, Burhan continues to provide for his family with strength, stability and hope for the future.

Sebastián — A Father Who Protects His Boys

Sebastián is a caring father of three boys in Bogotá, Colombia. In a neighborhood filled with crime, gang activity and drug trafficking, Sebastián is committed to providing a different life for his boys.

He and his wife, Silvia, attend parenting classes through one of Holt’s local partner organizations, FANA. Here, they learn practical skills, along with resources to keep their children safe from violence, child abuse, malnutrition and neglect.

“We’ve really enjoyed all of the trainings, especially the ones about nutrition, child safety and psychology,” Sebastián says.

His 3-year-old son, Diego, also attends FANA’s nursery school through the support of Holt sponsors. Diego has had trouble speaking and meeting developmental milestones like other children his age. But through the nursery school, Diego has the early foundation he needs.

“Every time I pick up my son and see the smile on his face, I think about how each person is giving a little bit to make this possible. All we can say is thank you,” Sebastián says.

Celebrating Fathers Around the World

This Father’s Day, you can honor a dad in your life by uplifting a father like Anurak, Fahim, Lhagvajav, Burhan or Sebastián — dads who work tirelessly to care for their children.

Through Gifts of Hope, you can give a father the tools he needs to provide for his family with confidence — gifts like livestock, garden seeds and tools, fishing kits, home repairs and more. These life-changing gifts help families meet urgent needs like food and shelter, build income and create lasting stability.

Give a Father’s Day Gift of Hope in honor of a dad in your life today!