In Loving Memory

Anjela arrived at Treasures of Africa Children's Home on April 3, 2007, within one month of the opening of the orphanage. She had been abandoned by her parents. She was born on July 1, 2005 with a multitude of physical problems. When she came to us at 21 months of age, she was underdeveloped and could not walk, sit up or talk. The doctor who first examined her after she arrived at TOA, said she would not live another year.

She required constant care due to being HIV positive, as well as having severe cerebral palsy and blindness. The staff at TOA embraced this special needs child with all of their hearts. Her 24 hour care required a tremendous sacrifice, but they gave it willingly. After much physical therapy, her once contracted limbs began to relax and she made tremendous progress. Though she could not see, she responded to voices and was often found smiling sweetly in her specially made chair which was wheeled around so she could always be in the midst of the TOA family activities.

Due to her compromised immune system, Anjela often battled colds and bronchial infections. After Christmas she was battling another one that she could not seem to shake. She succumbed to pneumonia on January 9th, 2010 a day after being admitted to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi.

We are grateful that she is in heaven with the Lord, and that the first sight her new eyes saw was the face of Jesus. We also know that she is perfectly healed, running and playing as she never could before. Anjela taught us all many things about appreciating life and we are glad that we had the opportunity and the privilege to see her smile.

Birthday: January 18

Weighing barely a kilo (2.2 Pounds) when she was found abandoned in a rural field, doctors at the local hospital determined that she was premature at birth. The infant child spent more than two months at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center before being placed at Treasures of Africa weighing just over 5 pounds.

Her story bore a sad but striking resemblance to that of our now 7 1/2 year old, Diamond. So in order to speak value over her (like we did with Diamond more than 7 years ago) we decided to name her Ruby Joy. She is a quiet, peaceful and absolutely beautiful treasure!

After three weeks of loving attention and lots of consistent nutrition, Ruby Joy nearly doubled her weight from 5 pounds to 9.9 pounds. Though we had a momentary medical concern, she has gotten the “all clear” from the doctor and continues to thrive without any medical issues.

We were thrilled to make room for another baby at Treasures of Africa, with a crib set up in the room where both 15 month old Gabriella and 13 month old David sleep. The addition of a newborn means more diapers, more formula and additional round the clock staffing. But Ruby Joy is worth the time, money and effort required to see her have a new start in her very young life.

UPDATE:

Ruby Joy stayed with us at Treasures of Africa through her first birthday. That same week - a family came forward to adopt her. We are thankful for answers to prayer for our children to receive FOREVER FAMILIES where they can know the special love relationship of a parent with a child.

Birthday: July 8

Moses came to live at Treasures of Africa in 2007 when he was just one month old. His mother had died and the whereabouts of his father were unknown. He was in the care of his great-grandmother, but she was very old and unable to care for him properly. So he was taken to the Welfare authorities and they placed him in our home.

Since he was a toddler, Moses has had a very outgoing personality. He is now able to communicate very well in both English and his native language of Swahili. He is quite social and has no fear in speaking with adults.

Moses did well in our in-house Preschool program and started Primary School in January of 2014. He is currently enrolled in a private English-medium School in first grade.

Moses has natural leadership abilities which he has demonstrated since he was very young. We have nicknamed him “Mr. President”, believing that one day God will do great things through this child. Just as Moses in the Bible led the children of Israel out of Egypt, we believe God will use Moses as a leader in the nation of Tanzania.

UPDATE:

We are happy to report that in August 2015 - Moses was adopted and now has his own FOREVER FAMILY! We are so blessed for him!

Birthday: October 15

It is hard to imagine any parent throwing their own child away like trash. We only know that whoever treated this precious infant like garbage, must have felt an unimaginable level of hopelessness to think that the child would be better off dead than alive in their care.

The baby was only a few weeks old when someone found him thrown away in a plastic bag. He was taken to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. With no name and no family claiming him, he was destined to be turned over to the government Welfare authorities and placed in an orphanage. A pediatrician at the hospital who is very familiar with the work of Treasures of Africa, called and let us know of the new arrival.

When we heard his story, we were determined to receive him as the “treasure” that he truly is. Arrangements were made with the Welfare department, informing them that Treasures of Africa Children’s Home was ready to accept the child upon discharge from the hospital.

Baby John Joseph came to live at Treasures of Africa on December 4, 2015. We had the privilege of naming him, and chose the name “John” after the beloved disciple of Jesus. The name John means "Jehovah has been gracious and has shown favor." And we feel like he has been favored of God and so have we - to have him join the Treasures of Africa family! Such joy he has brought to the house!

We gave him the second name of “Joseph” after the Biblical figure who overcame the rejection of his family who sold him into slavery but was destined by God to become the Prime Minister of Egypt. Like those men, we believe little John Joseph will become a man of great destiny. Treasures of Africa is committed to raising him with love and calling forth the greatness in his life, while we pray and await a “FOREVER FAMILY” to adopt him.

UPDATE:

We are thrilled to report that John now has a FOREVER FAMILY!