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Alfred arrived at Sonshine in April 2021 with his older half-sister Miriam. Tragically, their mother died from being hit by a vehicle. The children were sent to live with a grandmother who could not work due to a mangled leg. Although another organization was able to help the grandmother find housing in a two-bedroom home, the grandmother still needed to go to strangers begging for food. The situation looked bleak. Through a series of connections, Sonshine was called in to help. God's timing and love are incredible. Three years after Alfred and Mariam came to Sonshine, their grandmother died. The devotion to care continues.

Through a referral from Social Services, Winnie, at age 2, joined the Sonshine family in November 2018. Her mother had Winnie at a young age after the tragic death of her own parents. Due to fear and worry, Winnie’s mother ran away, and her uncle and some neighbors tried to take care of Winnie. One morning while her uncle was at work to earn money for rent and food, Winnie was badly injured in an accident. After a prolonged hospital stay, a caring social worker was able to connect Winnie with Sonshine. Winnie is a beautiful bundle of joy, energy, and inspiring faith, excelling in school and an encourager to all,

Naomi came to Sonshine in January 2021. She was living with her aging grandmother after her mother abandoned her. Esther’s father died in a work accident and the mother turned to alcohol and gave up caring for Naomi. The place where Naomi was living was very dangerous. The grandmother was suffering from dementia and struggled to provide proper food and safety. Fortunately, Naomi was able to attend nursery school classes because the school owner feared for her safety and included her in classes to protect her. The school owner contacted Social Welfare. Naomi is now living at Sonshine, loved, protected, and growing strong.

Charity is the middle sister of 3 that arrived January 2025 with her older sister Jenifa and her younger sister Grecious. The disability of her father due to a tragic accident and the abandonment of her mother had brought the family into significant hardship. Charity had to search for food with her sister while helping the family care for the father. They were barely surviving. The kindness of neighbors and well-wishers helped them get by. The move to Sonshine was preceded by thoughtful preparation and the assurances of the support of villagers to help the grandmother care for her son. Continued care and attention has been impactful.

Gideon and his sister Grace lost their father in late 2019 during Covid and their mother a month later to a stroke. This led to significant turmoil and infighting within the broader family over inheritance rights. An unfortunate outcome was the neglect of Gideon and Grace which brought sickness, stress, and emotional anguish. To avoid a worsening situation, Sonshine was contacted, and a thorough evaluation was completed. The difficult situation was wisely navigated, and Gideon and Grace were welcomed into Sonshine in March 2022. Gideon is doing well at a great school and enjoying good friendships.

October 2019 saw the joyful entrance of Sophia and her big sister Glory into Sonshine. The discovery of a fraudulent and abusive children’s home in a remote area led the government to reach out to Sonshine. Sophia, Glory, and another boy from their village had been kept in the remote home while the supposed owner swindled people for money. The unfortunate children at that home barely survived on small daily rations of porridge. Sophia, Glory, and the boy Eugene were brought to Sonshine where they have been able to grow in good health, strength, and wisdom. Their beautiful smiles and joy are a blessing to all.

Martin came to Sonshine with his older sister Maureen when their father died in 2018. After his death, their lives dramatically changed when their mother asked a friend to watch the kids while she went to visit her deceased husband’s family and tribe. Sadly, the mother never came back. This very unfortunate state led to intense fighting between the friend and the friend’s husband. Eventually, the village elder, social services, and the police were got involved. Within this terrible situation there was more abuse and trauma. Sonshine was called in to rescue Martin and Maureen. Martin’s smile, kindness, and character are unforgettable.

In May 2019, Peter and his younger brother Thomas came to Sonshine. Their parents had been challenged with disability and illness. The brothers suffered from malnutrition and poor health. The severity of the situation required social services and police involvement. Sonshine was asked to assist. So, the team lovingly helped the father understand the depth of care and help that his sons would receive at Sonshine. Today, Peter’s character and strength show the impact of Sonshine love. His intelligence is seen in the classroom and his athleticism witnessed on the soccer field. An exciting future lays ahead for Peter and his brother.

August 20, 2019 saw the arrival of Elisante at Sonshine. His mother and father had severe limitations and where living at the grandmother’s home in a small, single room. Life is almost unbearable in the area where they lived. At some point the mother ran away and the father had dangerous behavior to Elisante and the grandmother which led to the villagers removing the father to his home village. The grandmother kept Elisante locked up in the hut while she looked for food. A return of the mother pregnant with HIV added to the worsening situation. Sonshine was able to mitigate the challenge and rescue Elisante.

Jenifa is the oldest of 3 sisters that were brought to Sonshine January 2025. The lives of the sisters changed drastically when their father suffered a paralyzing accident and the mother abandoned them. The grandmother who is living on the property was doing everything she could to care for her son, the girls’ father and the girls. This care included Jenifer and her sisters looking for food and firewood while also trying to keep up with their schooling. Although the family lives in their own brick home, it lacks electricity, and they must rely on a small solar panel and battery for light at night. Jenifa's faith and boldness are inspiring.

Glory joyfully joined her younger sister Sophia coming to Sonshine in October 2019. They were rescued from a fraudulent and abusive children’s home that was hidden in a remote area. The discovery of this home led the government to arrest the criminals involved and to reach out to Sonshine for help. Glory, her sister Sophia, and another boy, Eugene from their village were safely brought to Sonshine and away from the fraudsters. It is very sad to know that the children who were held their barely survived by eating only a miniscule portion of daily porridge. Glory continues to grow strong, wise, and beautiful.

Maureen and her younger brother Martin’s life changed in 2018 when their father died. Their mother asked a friend to watch the kids while she went to visit her deceased husband’s family and tribe. The mother never came back. This shocking state led to significant quarrels between the friend and the friend’s husband which eventually involved the village elder, social services, and the police. On top of this tremendous stress came abuse and more trauma. Maureen and Martin were rescued by Sonshine and are thriving today. Maureen's incredible smile, character, and capabilities are an incredible testimony.

Rose and her sister and brother were brought into Sonshine in January 2017. They had been living in a corrupt mining town when their father died from Tuberculosis. To survive, their mother subjected herself to prostitution. This led to the ignoring of the children and heart-breaking abuse. Relatives were located and the children were moved to live with an aunt who was a single mom with 3 kids and lived in a dilapidated structure. While the aunt was out working all day, the unprotected children were further abused, leading to hospitalization. It was the miraculous intervention of God that brought Rose and her siblings to Sonshine.

Joshua (lovingly referred to as “Little Joshua”) arrived at Sonshine in March 2018 with his older brother Elias and his younger brother Junior. They had been surviving on the streets of Usa-River with their father who struggles with alcohol addiction and the challenges of mental illness.

Social Services contacted Sonshine who met with the father to share how complete care can be provided to the three brothers while the village helps the father. "Little Joshua" is now in Grade 3 and growing strong. The smiles of the Swai brothers bring great cheer and encouragement to the Sonshine family.

Grace and her younger brother Gideon were welcomed into Sonshine in March 2022. They lost their father in 2019 during Covid and then their mother soon after from a stroke. The turmoil from these tragic losses caused fierce infighting within the greater family. Inheritance rights were argued, and the children were severally neglected. Along came sickness, stress, and deep anguish. Sonshine was contacted with urgency to help correct a worsening situation. Through thoughtful and respectful mitigation, a successful outcome was achieved. Grace and Gideon have become part of a big Sonshine family that deeply loves them.

Samwel came to Sonshine in May 2013. He was 4 years old living on the village streets and begging for food. His mother abandoned him when he was 2 years. He was born in the home of her father, Samwel’s grandfather. Due to the shame of a daughter giving birth before marriage and the grandfather’s drunkenness, violence was the outcome. The unwed mother fled. With no one to care for Samwel, his condition got worse and worse. Sonshine became aware of Samwel through a delivery person that delivered goods to Sonshine’s home. A social investigation was completed and Samwel was quickly rescued.

Oscar was welcomed into Sonshine in October 2012 with his twin brother Kelvin. The mother had lost her husband and was left with 5 kids to raise by herself without any income. A depression quickly overcame her, leading to a mental breakdown and moving her into a street life. She was chased away by her late husband’s family, leaving her children with her mother. She became pregnant with twins Oscar and Kelvin from life on the street. Although a community elder tried to help, it didn’t work out. Sonshine was called in and was able to rescue Oscar and Kelvin. They are both doing very well and growing in faith and wisdom.

Kelvin and his twin brother Oscar arrived at Sonshine October 2012. Their mother experienced the death of her husband and fell into significant depression. She was left with 5 kids of her own and had no income. The depression led to a mental breakdown that pushed her into life in the street. Her late husband’s family chased her away, so she left her children with her mother. While living a street life, she became pregnant with Kelvin and Oscar. The efforts of a community elder that tried to help were unsuccessful. A friend of Sonshine contacted Sonshine to intervene. Kelvin and Oscar were rescued from the despairing situation.

Lazaro and his big brother came into Sonshine in October 2015. They arrived following the passing of their mother from HIV. Sonshine had been unable to confirm the whereabouts of the boys’ father until Sonshine was contacted by the village about the passing of the boys father and a request for their attendance at the father’s funeral. The father's absence in the boys life was unknown. Since coming to Sonshine, Lazaro has really developed. He excels in school. He is talented in music and athletics, and he is very happy; leaving the burdens of abandonment behind. Faith, hope, and love are powerful.

Violet came to Sonshine in January 2012 with her two younger brothers. They were left orphans when their parents tragically died only days apart. A village elder shared the story that the often-absent father came home late and drunk one night and confronted the wife for concealing HIV/Aids medicine that he found in the home. A huge quarrel ensued. The father left home and took his life. In discovering this the next day, the mother collapsed and died. Great conflict followed the burials between both sides of the family and the children suffered terrribly. Miraculous intervention brought the siblings to Sonshine.