The Mafiri Children

Jesca

Birthdate: January 2018

Jesca comes from the remote village of Matombo, where she lived with her mother and grandmother. The small family found it difficult to make a living. After her mother died in May 2020, she was rescued by social workers from her deteriorating living situation. Jesca is a healthy and sweet young lady full of love in her heart.

Damian

Birthdate: 2016

Damian grew up with his mother in a small cottage. When he was 6 months old his mother died of tuberculosis. He was taken in by his neighbours, as his father was in prison. After his father was released, his father tried to care for him. Together with the District Officer, the father and the neighbours decided to place Damian in the Mafiri Children’s Home to give him a better future.

Baraka

Birthdate: December 2018

Baraka grew up with his mother, but her mental health was considerably deteriorated. As a result of this, the healthy Baraka was placed into the Mafiri Children’s Home.

Agustino

Birthdate: April 2016

Agustino’s mother died 3 months after his birth, after which her sister took care of, and raised him. However, being plagued by an illness of her own, she was no longer able to take care of little Agustino. Agustino has no siblings, is Christian and belongs to the Luguru tribe. He has not been registered for school before, but is of course fully supported by us.

Anton & Aloyce

Birthdate: April 2016

After the twins’ mother died, the two became orphans. When both of them became ill with malaria, the neighbour who was looking after them asked for help from the social welfare office, whereupon we took them in.

Andrea

Birthdate: September 2017

Andrea was the eighth child of his mother, who was the centre of the family. Due to her tragic death in the spring of 2021 and the difficult living conditions with his father, he was then taken in by us together with his brother Thamson.

Thamson

Birthdate: October 2019

Thamson was born prematurely by caesarean section at 1.6 kg and was treated in the neonatal ward for a month until he weighed 2 kg. Thamson was the ninth child of his mother, who was the centre of the family. Due to her tragic death in spring 2021 and the difficult living conditions with his father, he was then taken in by us together with his brother Andrea.

Zawadi

Birth Year: 2022

Zawadi (means “gift”) grew up in difficult circumstances with her grandmother. After being hospitalized for malnutrition, Zawadi was given the opportunity to be admitted to the Mafiri Children Home. The grandmother was tearfully happy about the chance of a safe and secure life with a good education for her granddaughter.

Jenifer

Birthday: November 2019 After Jenifer’s parents died, she spent the last three years living with her uncle, his wife and their children. While the wife desperately tried to accept Jenifer as a new family member, the girl experienced violence, hunger and rejection. She recounted previous situations where she had to sleep outside the house ‘for no reason’ and how she was hungry almost every day. Jenifer arrived with several wounds and bruises.

Joel

Birthdate: October 2019

Joel lived with his grandfather and grandmother for two years after his mother died of a heart condition. Together with other children, he spent most of his time on the farm, waiting in the blazing sun while his grandparents went about their daily chores. Sometimes there was nothing to eat for days on end. The grandfather was very worried about the future of his grandson Joel and what would happen to him if he died. So Joel came to us with Jenifer.

Irene

Birthday: June 2016 Irene and her sister Vivian were taken to live with their grandmother after the death of their father. Overwhelmed, the grandmother turned to a church community, which organised help. Eventually, Irene and Vivian were placed in the Mafiri Children Home where they have now found a new home.

Vivian

Birthday: May 2019 After the death of their father, Vivian and her sister Irene were taken in by their grandmother. Despite her efforts, they often were without food. With the support of a church community, Vivian and Irene finally found a new home at the Mafiri Children Home, where they can now live safety.

Samwel

Birthday: September 2018 Samwel and his sister Neema lived with their aunt in Lukobe after the death of their father. Overwhelmed by the situation, the aunt sought help and turned to the Mafiri Children Home. There, Samwel and Neema finally found a new home with a better chance of a good life.

Neema

Birthday: August 2020 After the death of their father, siblings Neema and Samwel were taken in by their aunt in Lukobe. When their aunt was no longer able to care for them on her own, she turned to the Mafiri Children Home for help. There, Neema was given the chance of a new home and a hopeful future.