On 16 April 2010, Rayane Daly turned 2 years old. But his mum and dad and his two sisters were not able to tell him ‘Happy Birthday’, or to hold him and let him know that they love him.
Rayane came to Village of Hope at only 6 weeks of age. He was born to an unmarried Moroccan woman and, apart from her sister, none of her family knew that she had had a baby. Rayane’s birth mother was upset at having to abandon him. But she felt that she had no other option, because of the social stigma that unwed mothers have in Morocco. By choosing to raise him herself, she would lose the support of her family, friends and community. She and Rayane would have become outcasts, and would have struggled just to survive.
Rayane’s mum and her sister decided that her only course of action was to abandon the baby, and so approached Village of Hope and asked us to take him. After meeting with Rayane’s mother and aunt, and exploring all other possibilities, Village of Hope agreed to his mother’s request. Rayane was permanently placed with the Dickinsons, and he became part of their family, a son to Colin and Fiona, and a brother to Megan and, later, little Grace.
Rayane
Rayane was a healthy baby, and took to bottle feeding well. Shortly after his first birthday, Rayane’s birth mother and aunt returned to visit him. They were very happy to see how he had grown, and that he looked so well.
Once he learned to walk, Rayane liked to spend as much time outside as possible. He loves to play with his best friend Hanif, chasing chickens and exploring the grounds together. Rayane, like many of the VoH children, has learned to speak both Arabic and English, and like many children his age, often mixes the two languages together with interesting results! He loves Moroccan food, and prefers to eat tagine in the traditional manner, with his hands, and lots of bread!
On Monday 8 March 2010, the authorities expelled Rayane’s parents and sisters from Village of Hope and from Morocco. Before they left the home, his mum took him to Hanif’s house and left him to play with his best friend. As she turned to leave, Fiona watched as Rayane began to play, unaware that the only parents who have ever known and loved him as their own, were being unwillingly dragged away from him by the authorities.
Rayane (left) with Hanif
Colin and Fiona just want to hold their little boy again. To teach him to be a good man, a good Moroccan. To tell him that he is loved. To tell him ‘Happy Birthday’.
Happy Birthday Rayane.
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The Village of Hope Children |
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The Village (mountainview) |
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Boonstra Family |
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Muller family |
