Mariam, now a vibrant 35-year-old woman, was born in Taabo, Cote d’Ivoire. Unfortunately, she fell ill at the age of twelve and was rejected by her birth parents. The cause of her illness was unknown. In Mariam’s words, “finally, they got tired of me and they abandoned me.” It was a devastating experience for a young girl — to be sick, not understand why, and then be left behind by the very people meant to care for her.
Mariam was welcomed by a guardian lady who took care of her, and gave her new name, “Mariam”. Her condition temporarily improved, and her guardian’s daughter sent her to Abidjan, to seek employment. There, Mariam worked as a housekeeper to support herself and try to build a better life. However, her medical condition kept coming back. Whenever she became ill, she would return to her guardian in search of treatment and support. She traveled to the University Hospital of Treichville, where she was diagnosed with leprosy. The hospital gave her a referral to the Raoul Follereau Institute, where she ended up alone and afraid, but in good hands, beginning her healing journey. After years of uncertainty, she finally had an answer — but she was facing it without parents, stability, or a strong support system around her.
Sadly, Mariam’s guardian then passed away, and none of her children maintained the relationship with Mariam. Unconnected with her biological parents, she had no family and nowhere to call home. The woman who had cared for her was gone, and once again Mariam found herself on her own.
She later married a young man from her region, and together they began building a life with their son. However, their lives were challenging, with few financial resources. Daily life was difficult, and like many families living with limited means, meeting even basic needs became a struggle.
When the “Restore” income generating program arrived, Mariam was selected as a participant! This program, developed by Effect Hope with local partners Hope Commission International and Leprosy Relief Canada, provides micro-grants to people with NTD-related disabilities, to start or boost their existing businesses. For Mariam, this opportunity came at an important moment — offering not just practical support, but a pathway toward greater independence.
Mariam chose to sell traditional soap, which she purchases in Abidjan and sells in her village. Although the beginning was difficult, she persevered. One of her hopes is to learn how to make the soap locally. Along with her physical healing, income generation has allowed Marium to meet her physical needs and pay for medicine. It has also helped restore a sense of dignity and stability in her life, allowing her to provide for herself and her family with greater confidence. She is excited about the possibility of finding her biological parents in the future. Even after everything she has endured, hope remains close to her heart. Her story is one of pain, survival, and second chances — and a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone is given the opportunity to rebuild.
