Ermen Changed and Transformed

“I have long dreamt of having a home,” said Ermen, a simple but almost unattainable wish for her. Since leaving Evangel Children’s Home (ECH) four years ago, she came back one day to visit the children and to pick up glimpses of her coming-of-age.

Reason for leaving ECH

Ermen and her two other sisters have been assigned to different hostels. She has lived in ECH since her Primary 3, but really wanted to get out when she was in the second year of high school to be with the only person whom she could depend on, her father. “I wanted to leave because I wanted more freedom,” said Ermen. “I could do whatever I wanted and to stay on the streets all night. Don’t have to worry about rules and couldn’t care less about the vice of the world.” Ermen got her wish to roam around in the freedom of the night, with no one demanding anything from her.

Hopeless life

Her father relationship with her was so closed yet faraway. “I hate him, for the way he treated his woman,” said Ermen, such was her perception of her father. The night seemed to be freedom for her, yet it was slowly holding her captivity. The moment she took her first sip of methamphetamine, there was no turning back. "It wouldn’t matter whatever I did, I am just a nobody." For just one sip of methamphetamine, she betrayed her conscience. She became a drug trafficker, pusher, and even her home to be a drug den. She was finally arrested, and was confined, against her will to a rehab centre run by a Christian group.

God’s Salvation

God has made a way where there seem to be no way out. The first time when Ermen experienced God’s love was when her pregnant sister was willing to stand trial for Ermen’s drug charges, and could face jail sentence because she was tried in absence. The staff of the treatment centre prayed for this relentlessly and the judge only gave her sister a second chance by the Probation Order (PO). It was the first time Ermen experienced God’s answering her prayer. Just before Ermen was to leave the centre, her public housing unit was retrieved by the Housing Department because it was occupied for drug use, and her father also disappeared, and Ermen would have become homeless. Just when she felt completely lost, she was visited by a group of Christians who prayed for her. Miraculously, the treatment centre gave her employment and gave her room and board.

Ermen’s New Life

Today, after much hurdle Ermen was assigned to a single girl hostel. For someone who has long given up on herself, the road to independence was never easy. She is employed by a bookstore, a job opportunity that she values very much. She is filled with hope and believes knowledge could change someone’s life for better, and she could also share her experience with her customers. She has planned to further her study and enhance her qualifications. At the time of this interview, she has just been promoted as sales assistant.

“ECH is my Home”

“My home parents had brought me to know Jesus when I was in ECH but I didn’t believe He would listen to my prayer. My father and sisters have gone missing, even my home was confiscated, what worse could a life like this get?” Ermen continued, "One day, I received a call from the police, hearing that my mother who left me ten years ago without a trace was in Thailand, and has been looking for me all these years. I was so moved and it was like though I have lost my father, I recovered my mother. I found that God has already given a home at ECH, and it was not until I lost it that I could it."

Ermen, the once goblin of the night is now angel of daylight. When asked what does home mean to her? Erman answered, “It’s a shelter with all family members gather and care for each other.” A simple but true wish.

Please support ECH Building Extension Scheme to help the youth in need.