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 Jerom!

Meet Jerom!

Jerom is so  excited to be back together with his older brother, Joel (who is also at Rafiki with us!).  Jerom is bright and inquisitive little boy - curious about everything! He likes going each morning to Little Rina (the local school) and is learning his letters, numbers, colors and shapes. Jerom has a gentle heart and is a cuddler, he cares for the other kids and is always comforting anyone who is sick or hurt! Full of energy and love, he brings so much joy to our home!

 History

Jerom was abandoned and abused by his parents. When we found him, he had been locked in a one room shack behind a local bar, he was hungry and in desperate need of love and care. He had spent the previous days scrounging around the community looking for food; a local government official found him then came and notified us of his situation. He came home with us, and now him and his brother, Joel, are able to be together at Rafiki, receiving the love and care they both need! He was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Jerom 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: Monkey Food:Meat&Rice   Game: Tag      Activity: Nature  Walks

 

Volunteer Corner  

I love how Jerom is so genuinely happy. Seriously, I've NEVER seen such a happy little boy. Everything is a joke and something to laugh about. I love how he wrinkles his nose when he smiles. Sometimes he just wrinkles his nose for fun because he knows it makes me laugh. Sometimes I wonder if he will ever take life seriously, or if he’s just content being happy and laughing all day long. Personally, I hope that reality never hits him (at least in a cruel and harsh way). He’s content. He loves life. I don’t want that to change. I want him to grow up knowing that life can be great! I want him to know that after a season of hardship, there is going to be a time of laughing and dancing and smiling just because he feels like it. He is filled with the Holy Spirit. That’s the only explanation for why he is always exploding with joy. I love it. I pray he keeps that joy all the days of his life!

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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 Oscar!

Meet Oscar!

Oscar has a huge personality and is a very intelligent, active little boy with a radiant smile that captures every gaze. He likes helping fold laundry, playing with toy cars and airplanes and making artwork to give to Aunties! He speaks English very well and loves to teach others Luganda, the local language. Extremely bright and inquisitive, he is doing really well at Little Rina, the local school that he attends and comes home wanting to share about everything that he’s learned each day!His sweet smile and joy brings much life to our Rafiki family!

 

 History

Oscar was abandoned by his parents and left in the care of his grandmother who wasn't able to care for him. He was living in poverty and in desperate need of a loving family and home. A local orphanage that was already over maximum capacity let us know that Oscar was in need of a family; he came to us hungry and in desperate need of help. He was one of over 3 million destitute, orphaned children living in the streets and slums of Uganda. But Oscar 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 Color: yellow 

 Animal: Zebra

Food: Meat and Rice

Game: Tag 

 Activity: Drawing & Reading

 

Volunteer Corner 

Just a few days ago, sweet Oscar ran up to me and kissed me on my hand. He threw back his head and gave me one of the hugest smiles I have ever been blessed to see on a child’s face. He lit up and was completely happy in that moment. Before I had the chance to say anything to him, he ran away laughing; completely filled with joy. He is precious. Nothing was said about what had happened that day. The next day he ran up to me when I came down to help the kids get ready for church. His arms were stretched out and he was ready for me to pick him up and cuddle for just a little while before he had to get out of his pajamas for the day. When I picked him up he wrapped his arms around me and snuggled in as if he had no other plans for the day. Then he whispered in my ear, “Do you remember yesterday?” of course I did, but he decided to remind me again anywys. He grabbed my hand and kissed it before squirming out of my arms with a big smile on his face to go get dressed for the day. This is a daily routine for Oscar and me. I look forward to it every morning when I wake up. I know he does, too. It’s amazing for me to see how he can love so deeply. I’m honored that he has chosen to love me. Oscar is such a sweet boy. 

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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