A few thoughts from our CEO about how crucial our Christmas campaign is:
I recently finished the excellent biography of Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water. There was one line in the entire book that stayed with me, repeating in my mind long after I closed the last page:
“Charity is never guaranteed.”
The more I thought about it, the more I realised how true this is for the work we do at CRY. What we fight against is injustice—raw, unfiltered, often brutal injustice created and fuelled by poverty. And a fight is exactly what it is. It’s not always neat. It’s not predictable. It’s certainly not always pretty. Not every story ends the way we hope it will.
We operate in some of the most volatile nations and communities in the world—places where things can change overnight, where safety, stability, and justice are never a given.
More than ever, we need your support. Not because success is guaranteed, but because without this fight, children like Lolita have no alternative.
Here’s a photo of the amazing girls from my last visit to Nuevo Corazón. Lolita had just arrived at the home and was only six years old.
In Bolivia and in many of the countries we serve, the authorities do not always support, protect, or even acknowledge children enduring abuse and violence.
In fact, far too often, the people meant to uphold justice are part of the problem. I continue to be shocked by the stories we hear: cases where authorities agree to rescue a child only if they “receive money in return,” or situations where a judge can be bribed to rule in favour of an abuser.
For children like Lolita, this is their reality: in many cases, there is little help, protection, or hope—unless it comes from grassroots organisations fighting on the frontlines.
That’s why your support matters now more than ever. While charity is never guaranteed, doing nothing ensures that injustice prevails.
Our partners, Nuevo Corazón, along with the seven other projects we are supporting this Christmas, carry the hope of change. A hope that traces its roots back to the birth of Jesus—the Prince of Peace and the Ruler of Justice—who came into the world to see children like Lolita rescued, loved, and protected. Through these projects, that same hope lives on today, bringing light, care, and the promise of a brighter future to children who need it most.
An update on Lolita as of 28th November 2025
Right now, Lolita’s second oppressor — the first one is already in prison — may be walking free, facing no consequences. Even worse, there is a real risk that they could regain custody. The court does not recognise Lolita’s testimony as truth or as valid evidence, even though she has shared, with heartbreaking clarity, exactly what happened to her.
We ask you, from the bottom of our hearts, to please pray for her, for her safety, and for justice in this case. Our partners on the ground, together with CRY, are doing absolutely everything possible to secure solutions and to ensure that Lolita receives justice — or at the very least, long-term protection. We are all waiting to hear back from the court.
As I said, our work is a fight. A fight against injustice. A fight against poverty. A fight for every child whose voice is ignored or silenced. And we will not give up. We will continue to fight back.
As we sought approvals and consent 6 months ago to share Lolita’s story, we could not have imagined that, by the time we launched our Christmas campaign, her situation would evolve so significantly. This campaign is as real and authentic as it gets.
For Lolita—and for all the children like her whom this campaign supports across eight nations—we need you. We need your prayers, but we also need your generosity. We cannot support these children without the resources to make a real difference.
So today, I’m asking you to consider giving generously—not because success is guaranteed, but because these children have no alternative. The only option is to try, to fight back, and to stand with them. Your support can help change their story.
With much gratitude,
Aimé Gotte - CEO
You can also hear directly from Freddy, our partner on the ground, about the reality and urgency of this work—and why this campaign matters.
