Bakari Mbelwa
Bakari was brought to our attention by Mama Saadani, who began our breakfast program a few years before we took it over. Bakari has lost both of his parents, but has always managed to live with family and avoid street life. His major in secondary school is Physics, Chemistry and Biology. He wants to be a doctor. Many thanks to Diane Roth for seeing Bakari through secondary school.
Happy
Happy is a young girl who studies Form 3 at Matimbwa School, where some of our other kids go to school. She is hearing impaired and we met her when Liz McMullen (pictured) came to volunteer. Liz opened up new doors of communication for Happy by teaching and other kids her to sign. At the time Happy had a big debt at school so Liz and her family paid it and continue to sponsor her. We hope to one day connect Happy to a special school for the deaf.
Pili
Pili is a terrific young woman and very determined. She is an orphan and lives with her grandmother. She has a twin brother but he is not as motivated a student as Pili. We met Pili through a man we know named “Baba Kazi Nyingi”. He is an older man and could not afford to keep sponsoring Pili and her brother. Enter Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix, Arizona. They sponsor Pili and thanks to their generosity, Pili now studies at a government boarding school instead of a day school. This frees her from chores and enables her to concentrate.
Frida
Frida’s mother died many years ago. She and her sister live with their father who is a tailor. He does not earn enough to pay Frida’s school fees. Thank you to Jill and Alan Towndrow of England who have sponsored Frida for several years.
Siwema
Siwema is studying Form 4 at Kiwangwa Secondary school. She was referred to us by the chairman of the ward. Her parents have died and she lives with her grandmother. Recently her house burned and many of her belongings were lost. Siwema is very shy but likes school a lot. Thank you again to the Towndrow family of England for sponsoring Siwema.
Gervas
Benjamin
Benja’s mother died and his father is disabled. His father works as a bicycle repairman, but does not earn enough to put Benja through school. The Oberholzers of Switzerland have sponsored Benja for several years. Benja likes science and is preparing for his Form 4 exams.
Rehema
Zuhura
Zuhura is studying Form 6 at a private boarding school. She had to take a break after Form 4 for lack of funds to continue. Thanks to LPA (the Little People of America), and a matching donation from the Wiseman family, Zuhura is studying AND has had the lifechanging experience of connecting to other LPs across the world. The Wiseman family now fully supports Zuhura and we are so grateful to them.
Jalala
Jalala’s mother is living with HIV. Her health fluctuates a lot, but she is a single mother and can’t afford to send her son to secondary school.
