Existing Children

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.

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.

Esther arrived at Sonshine in May 2019. She had been abandoned by her mother and eventually ended up living with her aunt. One day in March 2019 she wandered into a fire pit because she had been left alone with no supervision. She fell into the pit and severely burned more than 30% of her body. Esther was taken to the hospital where she spent 2 months recovering. Her village did not want her back because they were required to help pay her medical expenses. A Social worker asked Sonshine to care for Esther and help with her medical costs going forward. Sonshine is very happy to have beautiful Esther.

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.

Eugene came to Sonshine in October 2019 with 2 other children that had been in his same village when they were rescued from a fraudulent children’s home. They were suffering from severe neglect and abuse. It is hard to imagine that an orphaned child would be subjected to the type of exploitation and abuse that Eugene suffered. Sonshine is grateful to be able to work closely with the government and Social services to rescue and restore children. Eugene and the other 2 children from his village are now in good care, happy, and healthy. His hugs and cheerful greetings are a continuously uplifting reward.

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.

Elias is the oldest brother of Junior and Joshua. They arrived in March 2018 after barely surviving on the streets of Usa-River with their alcoholic, mentally challenged father. father who struggles with alcohol addiction and the challenges of mental illness. Sonshine was contacted by social services who were contacted by a village elder. Sonshine was able to meet with the father to convey the importance of how Sonshine can fully care for his sons. The father agreed so that his sons could be freed from the path he had taken. Now the shared smiles of the Swai brothers make Sonshine even brighter,

Upendo and her sister Neema had a dramatic life change when their father died in early 2009. By culture, their mother was to remarry one of the husband’s brothers and marry off the girls by the age of 10. A loving grandmother reached out to a friend with a church in Boma for help. Because Ray Schumacher was preaching there at the time, a connection led to the sisters coming to Sonshine. They are growing into beautiful and brilliant women of God blessed with talent, humility, and great faith. Upendo helps lead worship services, interprets, and participates in outreach ministry to neighboring communities.

Venance arrived at Sonshine in September 2016. He had been living with his grandfather and going to school only one day per week so that he could find money for food. The grandfather had separated from the grandmother due to the lifestyle of the grandmother and her daughter, Venance’s mother. Unfortunately, the grandfather became an alcoholic. The exposure to this environment was harmful. So, the school contacted Sonshine. His transformation from street life to life in God has been incredible. Venance is a go-getter and works very hard. His athleticism and drive can take him to great places in the Lord.

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.

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 now in Grade 3 at a great school and enjoying good friendships.

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 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. Excelling in Grade 2, Winnie is a beautiful bundle of joy, energy, and inspiring faith.

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.

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.

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 where he now thrives.

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 love and care for each other.

Junior joined Sonshine July 2013. The lifestyle of his mother brought siblings to Junior in rapid succession from different fathers. His mother eventually dumped Junior and his siblings on her father’s home and walked away. A local pastor who knew Ray Schumacher told Ray about the abandoned children. At that time, Sonshine was only able to help one child. So, Junior being the oldest was picked. The growth and stability of Junior has been amazing. Being at Sonshine has helped him when encountering the challenging behavior of his mother who had returned an alcoholic. Junior is doing good academically, and he is tremendously gifted in music.

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 and referral brought the Festo siblings to Sonshine where they thrive and encourage others.

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. Rescuing and restoring children is the mission of Sonshine.

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. God's plans for their lives are glorious.

Neema arrived in June 2013 with her older brother Daniel. Their mother became extremely depressed after the father passed away and his family took away almost all their land. The children suffered greatly as the mother’s mental health worsened due to depression. School attendance was not possible, and abuse became a regular occurrence. Sadly, the mother was incapacitated. Thankfully, a church contacted Sonshine and asked for urgent help. Sonshine was able to rescue the children from the tormenting and abusive situation. Now Neema and Daniel are growing strong and flourishing. Neema is a gifted, gracious, and kind girl.

Joshua was brought into Sonshine on April 10, 2021. Because his mother had a mental disability, Joshua lived with a single grandfather. The grandmother had died long ago. There was uncertainty about the daughter and cultural shame related to her pregnancy. One year after she gave birth, the mother ran away. The grandfather kept Joshua locked in the home day after day. It was miserable. Sonshine was called in and was able to talk with the grandfather. The healing process began for the grandfather and his blessing was given to rescue Joshua and to care for him at Sonshine.Through care and encouragement, Joshua is doing great.

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 and brought to Sonshine. They are thriving.