Antoni surprised his instructors when he transformed a simple plastic car and motorcycle into solar powered motorized vehicles with working headlights!The plastic toys were held together with black electrical tape and didn’t look like much. But when the young student demonstrated his invention – a solar powered car and motorcycle with working lights - his instructors were speechless. Along with other students, the teachers had watched as the vehicles raced across the floor. This boy had a spark of genius they had not recognized. But what they could not have imagined was just how difficult Antoni’s early years had been, before he landed at technical school as a teenager.

Antoni in March 2007 just after arriving at Treasures of AfricaAntoni was four years old when he arrived at Treasures of Africa Children’s Home, in Moshi, Tanzania. His stick-thin arms and legs along with a distended belly betrayed just how sick he was. Antoni was brought to the orphanage straight from the hospital by social workers from the local Welfare office. Antoni’s mother had died 24-hours after bringing her sickly son to the hospital for medical treatment. As it turned out, she was far sicker than her child. With the loss of his father years before, Antoni found himself orphaned overnight.

Antoni’s next few years at Treasures of Africa were a journey of restoration. The first order of business was to improve his health and help him gain strength. The orphanage nurse, Jodie, dedicated herself to this goal. Nutrition, vitamins and the necessary medications to rid his body of the multitude of ailments he was battling, were diligently ministered to Antoni. He responded well to both the attention he received along with the excellent medical care.

Not only did Antoni find nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, and loving care from the orphanage staff at his new home, he also found a friend. Another four-year-old boy came to live at Treasures of Africa a few months after Antoni arrived. His name was Samweli, and they would become lifelong buddies.

Antoni at work helping connect electricity to a remote village in TanzaniaAs Antoni grew older, his fascination with all things mechanical and electrical, became apparent to the orphanage staff. His penchant for taking things apart, and “trying” to reassemble them, gave more than one headache to the Orphanage Director. But no one could deny where Antoni was headed – toward a career in some technical field.

When it came time for Secondary School Education, Antoni was enrolled in a two-year program in Auto mechanics, followed by a three-year course in Electrical Installation. Though academics were never his strong suit, Antoni managed to pass test after test (to his constant surprise) in addition to excelling in the hands-on practical skills exams.

Graduating from the Vocational Training Program in Electrical Installation was a great victory for Antoni. This was followed by obtaining his official card from the government as a Licensed Electrician. That alone opens many doors for employment in Tanzania since the need for both electricity and competent electricians is widespread in the country.

Currently, Antoni is working on a project bringing electricity to remote villages where there has never been any electrical installation. At 22 years old, Antoni is now able to support himself and thrive, thanks to the 'spark of genius' which God bestowed on him.

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Editor’s Note:

We at Hidden with Christ Ministries are deeply grateful for the generosity of donors to our Treasures of Africa KIDZ Project which has enabled us to care for and educate Antoni and so many other children in Tanzania. Your prayers and gifts have brought Antoni to this amazing point in his life. If you would like to help us educate the many students following in Antoni’s footsteps, please consider donating to the TOA KIDZ Education Fund. You can donate on our website:

KIDZ Education Fund: Click to Donate