12/06/2026
A Story of Love and Belonging
June 2015 is a time that we’ll never forget. That was just after we first opened our doors, and when David arrived at Heartlands Baby Sanctuary. He was one of the very first three babies placed in our care. At only 10 months, he was so small, so vulnerable, and like every child who has come through our doors since, completely deserving of love, safety, and a future filled with hope.
From his very first night, David was never alone. He was held through the quiet hours, comforted when he cried, and gently cared for as he began to settle into the world around him. We celebrated every little milestone with him; the first smiles, the first giggles, and we treasured each moment as he slowly began to trust and to feel secure. Not long after, we had the privilege of witnessing the next chapter of his life begin when he was adopted by a loving family from the Netherlands. Parents who saw him, chose him, and have devoted themselves to giving him every opportunity to thrive.
When they returned to visit us with David, now 11 years old, it was an incredibly emotional moment for all of us. While sitting in our reception area, David’s eyes were drawn to a photograph on the wall. He looked at it carefully. It was a baby being held closely by members of our team. And then, with surprise and wonder, the penny dropped, and he realised that the baby was him! David shrieked with excitement, and he could see in that picture how loved he was from the very start.
As we walked through the sanctuary together, David’s father recalled his first visit to Heartlands, 11 years ago, the day he laid eyes on David. For David, it was a place he didn’t consciously remember, but for his parents, it was a place they first fell in love with their son. Even though the rooms and spaces were unfamiliar to David, the feeling wasn’t. There was a recognition, not of the building, but of the love that had surrounded him here all those years ago.
Some of our staff who were there on the very first night he arrived recognised him instantly. With his parents translating, we shared stories of the little boy we remembered so clearly, and what followed was a mix of laughter, tears, and overwhelming joy. To see him again, thriving and full of life, was more than we could have hoped for.
At Heartlands, this is what we wish for every child who comes into our care. Whether they are reunited with their biological families, placed with foster families, or adopted, our deepest hope is that they will grow up knowing love, security, and belonging.
Today, David is a bright and determined young boy with big dreams of becoming a soccer player. He is working hard toward that dream, guided and encouraged by his devoted parents, and we couldn’t be prouder. Hopefully he’ll be making his debut for his country on the world stage at the 2034 Soccer World Cup!
Being part of David’s story, even just at the beginning, is something we will always carry with us, as we do with every child who has come through our doors.
Because at Heartlands, we don’t just care for children, we hold space for their futures. And every child deserves a place where they belong.