Danny Orlando – Getting an Education Outside the Classroom

Working from a small grocery store in her house, Danny’s mother barely makes enough money to survive from day to day. She has had to carry the burden of family responsibility ever since Danny's father passed away in 2019, and she is in poor health as well. His mother says, “Danny's life has been very difficult.” He was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder) at age four and has been undergoing treatment and taken daily medication since then. Lack of resources forced them to cancel the private hospital treatments, then his dad died, and then the pandemic came. Everything has just been more difficult.

Since he was a child Danny has been a victim of bullying and has been marginalized in every place he has been. He started going to an SOI sports program in 2015 as his doctor recommended that practicing sports would help him burn energy and keep him busy. It has been a great blessing because “I'm not a good sport. It has helped me to work on my behavior, especially with my teammates, and helps my physical health, too. What I like most about SOI is that the word of God is shared, I am Jehovah's Witness, but I like that you (SOI team) speak to us about values, and I feel include—because in all other places—they see me differently.” He says that it is his dream to work, however, he has been legally declared unable to work due to his social problems and health condition. “I would like to help my mom since she is sick and I'm afraid of ending up alone.”  He asks for prayer for him and for health for his mother.

When Danny started coming to the SOI programs he couldn't sit still, fought with other kids, and changed quickly from one sport to another. Then the staff learned he had health problems after his teacher told the coaches they had to be patient with him. The program director said that “That’s what we are here for, to restore hope and transform the lives of these children.” Danny thinks the best part of the training he receives there is that everyone makes him feel good and like he is part of a family. Time with caring workers has helped him learn self-control and how to get along with his peers, and provided an education that he wasn’t getting in the classroom. SOI workers are aware of his mood swings and aggressiveness, but they have seen a transformation of behavior. We are praying for a miracle for Danny’s health and his difficult economic conditions.  At 19, he still lives with his mother, grandmother, and older brother, and would love to have a way to bring in some money for the family.