Michael’s story is one of deep loss, painful abandonment, and extraordinary resilience. Michael lost both of his parents at a very young age. Michael and his older sister were taken in by their aunt and moved to Arusha. Their aunt’s husband is Maasai. In Maasai tradition, orphaned boys often survive by helping care for someone else’s cattle in exchange for food and a place to sleep. They rarely inherit cattle of their own, and formal education is not usually prioritized for children in such vulnerable positions. If Michael remained in that setting without intervention, it is highly unlikely he would have ever completed Primary School. His future would have been limited to survival rather than opportunity.
Michael in January 2018 shortly after arriving at Treasures of Africa Children's HomeLife in Arusha was not easy, the family struggled under severe poverty. There was barely enough food, and providing basic needs such as clothing, school materials, and medical care was beyond their means. Because of this hardship, Michael was eventually taken to Faraja Orphanage, where he could at least receive food, shelter, and access to education. For a time, it seemed like stability had finally come into his young life. But a few years later, the orphanage was closed by the government due to lack of proper registration. Once again, Michael’s life was uprooted.
This closure opened the door for Michael to come to Treasures of Africa Children’s Home. At Treasures of Africa (TOA), he found care, structure, and the opportunity to continue his education. However, when TOA later closed and the children were placed into foster families, Michael was reunited with his adult sister in Arusha as required by Social Welfare officials.
Michael - now in 9th grade - healthy and happyHoping to give him the best possible chance to succeed academically, HWCM made arrangements for Michael to attend a good boarding school, allowing him to stay focused on his studies while spending school breaks with his sister. But even this fragile stability did not last. During one school break, the school called our office with heartbreaking news: Michael’s sister had not come to pick him up. Repeated attempts to contact her failed. She had disappeared from his life without explanation.
In that moment, Michael was not only an orphan, but he was also completely abandoned. No extended family member was willing to take responsibility for him. The urgency to find a stable family for him became critical. Another family briefly agreed to take him in, but the placement did not work out. Ultimately, I personally made the decision to take Michael into my own family. Since coming into our home, the change in Michael has been remarkable. Emotionally, he is more secure. Academically, he is improving. Most importantly, he is experiencing the love, support, and guidance that every child deserves.
Today, through HWCM sponsorship, Michael’s future has changed dramatically. Education is no longer uncertain. His needs are being met. He is not working for survival; he is studying for a purpose. Please pray for Michael’s heart to be fully healed of all the loss he has experienced, and for academic success in Secondary School where he is currently in Form Two – the equivalent of 9th grade in the U.S.
Editor’s Note: Faith Kaluse is not only the Administrator for the Moshi, Tanzania office of Hidden with Christ Ministries, but she has become the defacto “mom” to so many of the Treasures of Africa children. Michael is not the only TOA child she has taken in when extended family members who were legally responsible to take care of a child “disappeared” from their lives. Please pray for Faith – for wisdom, grace, strength and continued courage to care for these precious “treasures.”
Secondly, if you are not a regular supporter of the TOA KIDZ Project, please consider starting this month. Consistency in school provides a foundation of stability that many children in Tanzania do not have. If a family has enough money to pay school fees, the child can remain in school. When they do not, the children are forced to sit home until the parent can find the resources to pay the outstanding school fees. Many such children never return to school. The TOA KIDZ Project pays school fees for both orphaned and otherwise “vulnerable” children, to give them a chance for a stable future by covering education expenses. Change a child’s life forever – become a monthly sponsor for the TOA KIDZ EDUCATION PROJECT!
KIDZ Education Fund: Click to Donate