Many children before encountering GROW never experienced compassion. Generations were exposed to only hopelessness. Neglect and abuse were constant companions. One girl portrayed her life as under the reign of “landowners who treated her and her family as slaves. We were used to going without food and receiving all kinds of abuse.” One boy said the beginning of his life’s reality began before birth when his dad abandoned his mom who was plagued with mental problems.  This situation forced him at an early age into drug-trafficking. These destructive influences in this young boy’s life caused a domino effect that led to enduring severe beatings. Another young boy came to GROW with severe learning disabilities. He couldn’t even use a spoon. These disabilities were attributed to his young teenage mother attempting to abort him. These are just several examples of the children who have fallen through the gaps and been overlooked by the system.