Meet Mary!

Meet Mary!

 Mary has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. In Uganda there is a stigma attached to children with disabilities. Many even think they are cursed or possessed by demons. Her father and mother abandoned Mary as soon as she started showing symptoms of having a disability. She was alone, hungry, filthy, and living almost 24 hours a day lying on the floor in the corner of a dark shack. Her maternal grandmother was caring for her the best way that she could. However, she had little resources and could no longer care for Mary. She asked for our assistance in taking Mary into the Rafiki Children’s Home and caring for her.

Because of her cerebral palsy, Mary has the mental capacity of a very young child. She cannot talk although she likes making noises and loves to laugh. She can walk around, go up and down stairs, and we have to catch her before she climbs on the table. She is a very active little girl….like a monkey.

She doesn’t have the fine motor skills to feed herself. But she has learned how to use a sippy cup and is gradually learning how to grab objects. She develops improved muscle strength and coordination with patience and practice.

Mary is currently being cared for at Elizabeth House. Elizabeth House is a home for children with special needs. After staying with us for a year at the Rafiki Home, we felt that Mary needed more attention and specialized therapy that we could not provide for her. She now is in a loving, Christian Children’s Home that just cares for children with various disabilities and special needs. We visit Mary many times throughout the year. Since going to Elizabeth House, she has improved in many areas. Her coordination and walking are getting better each day.

Mary is an easy-going, happy girl who enjoys just simple touch from others…..she loves hugs and being carried! She loves cupcakes, having her back rubbed, being held, and is very ticklish. Baths and cold drinking water is a couple of her least favorite things.

By : Sara Hamilton 

Director / Founder of Rafiki

 

 

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For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues 

to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries

Meet Don!

Meet Don!

Don is a brave and sweet boy, after having his teeth removed he never once complained! His one toothed smile lights up the room and his sweet laughter brings so much joy! He loves playing with toy cars – zooming and vrooming around the house and compound! He loves playing with the other children, quick to offer comfort to anyone who is in pain and coax a smile out of them. Don is a little cuddle bug, crawling up into your lap or giving big sloppy kisses. He loves listening to Aunties reading books and shading (drawing). Curious and intelligent, he is a quick learner and likes learning new things like his numbers, shapes, colors and letters from the Aunties at home!

 

History

Don’s mother died while giving birth to him. His father is disabled, having lost both arms and so was unable to care for him. Before he came to us he was living in hunger and poverty at another orphanage – it was over maximum capacity and so he had gone for days without eating. At 2 ½ years old, Don’s teeth were rooting and decaying from malnutrition – he had to have 16 of his 20 teeth pulled to prevent severe infection. He was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Don is NO longer one of these children because he is now part of our Rafiki Family where he receives all the love and care he needs!

Funky Facts!

Favorite things…   
Color: Green    Animal: Lion

Food: Chicken and Rice

Game: Tag      Activity: Playing with toy trucks

Volunteer Corner

The other night I was on the upstairs balcony going to my bedroom. It was dark outside and if it weren’t for his bright red Thomas the Train pajamas, little Don would have been nearly impossible to spot. I looked over the edge of the railing and whispered his name and he looked up at me suddenly with his adorable, toothless grin. He whispered back at me, “Auntie Stephan, come down and see me!”. I couldn’t resist his sweet request and I walked down the stairs and sat with him on the very bottom step in complete darkness. He sat there telling me about his day while sitting on the bottom step. I guess “sitting” isn’t the best way to describe it. Don doesn’t sit. He was most definitely chillin’- as if he were a 20 year old surfer. It was getting late and he needed to be going to bed. He wouldn’t go. Not out of stubbornness, but because he wanted to hang out with me. He told me we should stay down there all night and talk. I would have loved to stay with him longer but he’s only 4 and isn’t quite at the right age to be pulling all-nighters. With some convincing, he finally gave me a hug and a kiss and scrambled off to bed. Don is precious. I love him dearly. And I really hope that it’s a long time before I wake up and he really is a 20 year old surfer!

                                                                     By Stephanie Madrid

                                    Childcare Worker

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  For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries

Meet Annet!

Meet Annet!

Annet is our girly-girl with a sweet personality – bring on the pink and pretty! She loves playing with dolls and dressing up, our fashionista lets the Aunties and other kids know if we are “looking smart (well dressed)” or not! Annet likes going to our local school, Little Rina that she attends for a few hours each morning where she is learning her ABC’s, numbers and colors. With her quick smile and sensitive heart, she loves to help the other kids and aunties with whatever arises each day - picking up the towels, putting away laundry, sweeping the floor, bringing water to sweaty kids or comforting sick or injured friends!  She is very bright and a quick learner, asking questions and curious about life! She always wants to shade (color), and just like her art work she brings joy and color to our family here!

History

Both of Annet’s parents died of HIV/AIDS and a neighbor had taken her in temporarily but was unable to care for her. She came to us severely malnourished and in desperate need of a loving family and home. She was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Annet is NO longer one of these children because she is now part of our Rafiki Family where she receives all the love and care she needs!

Funky Facts!
Favorite things…  

 Color: Yellow    Animal: Zebra 

Food: Chicken and Rice    Game: Tag  Activity: Dancing & drawing

Volunteer Corner

I love the way the way that Annett throws back her head when she laughs. Its like she can’t keep the joy inside, she just has to express it with her whole body. With such a sensitive heart, she’s usually the first one to laugh when something funny happens but also the first to be upset when she senses something is wrong. Sometimes I look at her and catch myself laughing and shaking my head at her silliness, she gets so much joy out of bringing joy to others! And sometimes I feel a crack in my heart when the big crocodile tears slide down her face because something has upset her…

     I love our good night ritual where she runs and jumps into my arms and then pretends to fall asleep (complete with obnoxious but very authentic snoring attempts!) and I have to carry her in and put her in her bed. She likes putting her nose right under my ear and snuggling in and then she whispers “Okwagala nnyo (I love you very much)” right before I plop her in her bed… How I treasure her whispers of love, spontaneous hugs and infectious laughter… How my heart aches over her crocodile tears or moments of being withdrawn.   

    Sometimes I forget what a testament of redemption her life is, just in her first few years. Even in the missing answers we have of her past, I can clearly see how the Lord has protected her life and heart, how He has set aside her for something important in the future. I feel so blessed that I get to see glimpses of how the Lord provides and how deeply He cares for us through Annett’s life. I'm so excited to see how He grows her into a women after His own heart!

By: Kailey Jensen 

Long Term Volunteer

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  For the next few weeks we will be posting stories of all the kids here at Rafiki Africa Ministries (RAM). We want to give these kids a voice. There are more struggling kids here in Uganda than anyone is able to count. Here are the stories of 13 kids who's lives were changed by God through the work of RAM. We want to make you a part of this work, there is so much love and joy overflowing out of the Rafiki Home and we want you to experience this through these stories. We hope you can get to know the kids through these updates and we pray that you will fall in love with them just as we have. 

Be a part of the changes God continues to make in the lives of these kids. 

Make a difference. 

Spread the word.

 Rafiki Africa Ministries