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.