A NEW GEM IS WELCOMED AT TREASURES OF AFRICA

BABY RUBYThere are few experiences in life that can match the joy of seeing an abandoned child rescued and placed in a loving home. Though an orphanage is not the ideal setting for raising a child – loving families were God’s design – we try very hard to create a loving environment for all the children who are brought to us.

When we made the announcement that a new baby was on the way to Treasures of Africa, our children literally jumped and squealed for joy. When she finally arrived, their tenderness toward this tiny infant was so heartwarming to watch.

COVER PHOTO COMPRESSEDWeighing 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.

If you would like to be part of “Ruby’s Rescue Team” you can consider becoming a Child Sponsor for Ruby Joy. It takes approximately $120 per month to care for a child at Treasures of Africa. Perhaps you and 3 friends could sponsor Ruby for $30 per month and fully cover her needs. She is a precious gem that is worth caring for! CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR RUBY

Abandoned by Man, Adopted by God

God places the lonely in families... Psalm 68:6 (NLT)

Baby DavidThree Primary School students were headed to school one morning in Moshi, Tanzania, when they heard the faint cry of a baby. They stopped and looked around. There were no other people in the area and they wondered where the cry could be coming from. Suddenly, they spied a bundle on the ground under a tree. When they drew near, they realized that someone had abandoned an infant in the dirt. They saw that it was tiny baby boy whose tender skin was being gnawed by ants. They wasted no time in running to find help, instead they bravely scooped up the helpless child and walked with him to the nearest hospital. They turned the child over to the first nurse they could find.

The baby was a newborn, not more than a few days old, with the umbilical cord still attached. 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 Christian pediatrician at the hospital who was very familar with the work of Treasures of Africa, called and let us know of the new arrival. We visited the baby in the hospital nursery where he was being treated with anti-biotics for the extensive ant bites on his neck and foot. We spoke with the hospital social worker and informed her that Treasures of Africa was ready to accept the child upon discharge.

Baby David Joseph came to live at Treasures of Africa on April 14, 2014. We had the privilege of naming him after two Biblical figures who overcame great obstacles to become men of great destiny. Young David overcame the giant Goliath and Joseph overcame the rejection of his brothers who sold him into slavery to become the Prime Minister of Egypt. We believe Baby David 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.

 

 

Radio Station KSDW 88.9 FM Features Treasures of Africa

radio microphoneWe were BLESSED recently to have Treasures of Africa featured on KSDW 88.9 FM radio station (San Diego CA). The morning show host - Jerry Langford - (who visited TOA last month) - enthusiastically shared about his experience with the kids and interviewed Executive Director Rita Langeland. Listen to these two 5 minute interviews:

TOA Welcomes a New Treasure to the Family

JessicaJessica is the newest "treasure" to join the TOA family. She arrived on June 18, 2014. Jessica's mother was a very young teenage girl who was living in a local center for "street kids". The father is unknown. When Jessica was born she was immediately placed in a "baby home" - an orphanage that specializes in caring for infants and young children, but only keeps them until they are five years old.

When Jessica turned five, she "aged out" of that orphanage. Her mother is still unable to care for her. The Welfare authorities were desperate to place her in an orphanage that cared for older children. They asked Treasures of Africa to take her and we could not turn her away. It is our deepest desire to make sure that little Jessica doesn't feel like she is being shifted from one institution to another - but instead that she has become part of a big family. Will you pray for her young heart to be healed of any sense of rejection or loss and pray for our staff and the other children that they will be able to provide the love that she desperately needs to feel safe and secure?

Since all the other TOA children are in school during the daytime hours (with the exception of our two infants) we have had to hire someone to work with Jessica on preschool prep to prepare her for entering first grade in January. This is an additional staff expense that we were not planning on. But it is vital to get her ready for school especially if we are going to send her to an English Medium school. There is A LOT of tutoring that will need to be done with little Jessica! If you would consider becoming a monthly sponsor for Jessica - it would be a tremendous help and an investment in giving Jessica a future and a hope! Thanks!

 

Birthdays Celebrated at Treasures of Africa

In many a third world country, birthdays are often not celebrated or even remembered. The addition of a child to a family in poverty is often not considered a reason for rejoicing. Such an attitude does not make a child feel welcomed in the world. And if a child is abandoned, the feeling of rejection is even more pronounced.

Zoe collage

 

But at Treasures of Africa Children’s Home in Moshi, Tanzania, it has been our intentional practice to celebrate each child’s birthday. We want them to know they are valued and loved. Though our birthday celebrations are much humbler than a traditional birthday one might experience in the U.S., they are treasured by our kids because they mark the celebration of their birth. Here are some of our recent birthday celebrants - all who have lived with us here at Treasures of Africa for over 8 years. We delight in their maturation and rejoice over who they have become!

 

Ray collage

 

Dia collage