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.

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. They are thriving. Martin’s smile, kindness, and character are unforgettable.

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.

Joshua was welcomed into Sonshine in March 2018. He was living with his great- grandmother in the same village where he played with fellow Sonshine family member Samwel. Both of their mothers had abandoned them after giving birth. Their relatives rejected them. And the grandparents, before they passed, only gave them some food but nothing else. This lack of care and attention left them on the streets unable to go to school. A friend of the ministry notified Sonshine because he could not help but notice them due to their appearance. Through careful interaction, working with the village elders and social workers, Sonshine was able to rescue both boys and begin steps of healing. Joshua is doing very good. He is very bright, kind, and talented.

Exaud arrived at Sonshine with his older sister and younger brother in January 2012. The three siblings had gone through shocking hardship when their parents tragically died days apart. The tragedy as told by a village elder was that the absentee father discovered the mother’s hidden HIV/Aids medicine one night when he came home drunk. A very big fight ensued, and the father stormed out of the house. The next day, it was discovered that the father had taken his life, and the mother collapsed and died when learning this news. At the parents' burials, tremendous conflict arose between both sides of the family. The children suffered terribly. Through incredible intervention, the Festo siblings were brought to Sonshine where they are a blessing to others.

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 and the others are growing strong physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Her beautiful smile and deep joy are an inspiration. The support of donors helps make this beautiful transformation possible.

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 rescued from his harsh and deadly environment. Samwel is growing strong in grace and wisdom with a very promising future.

In December 2015, Clara came to Sonshine through a referral from a friend of the ministry. Clara’s father got into debt after borrowing money from a financial institution. When he was unable to repay the loan, the company came and took everything. This led to an intense quarrel between the parents. The family on each side blamed the other. Sadly, out of despair, the father took his life. The mother was then chased away by the father’s family. She took Clara and escaped to a half-built structure for shelter. The mother fell into deep depression, living in a house with no doors or windows. The outlook for survival was dim. Founders Ray and Melody were able to rescue Clara and bring her to Sonshine. She is very bright and motivated with a great vision to reach and change her family.

The testimony of Diana coming to Sonshine in April 2013 is unique. Sonshine was introduced to the mother when Sonshine visited a government office to arrange for electrical power lines to be installed to the Sonshine property. The mother was very sick and was begging for the government to help pay for school fees. The kids were in very bad shape. Sonshine worked with the government official to take Diana into Sonshine if the official would help the mother and would help provide electricity to Sonshine. The wise and creative solution worked. Clara came to Sonshine, and the ministry worked with the mother to help her regain health. She now lives in a safer, healthier house, grows sweet potatoes, and sells them at the market. God's light shines bright in Diana.

Ebenezer is the youngest sibling of three that came to Sonshine in January 2017. They had gone through terrible hardship from the death of both parents days apart. Their inattentive father came home drunk one night and discovered medicine hidden by the mother. He learned that it was HIV/Aids medicine, and he confronted the mother. A huge fight broke out and the father angrily departed the home. The next day the mother learned that the father had killed himself. With this news, she collapsed and died. Further conflict and hostility occurred at the parents’ burials with each side of the family blaming the other side. This was further devastating for the kids. They were brought to Sonshine with great care and are recovering in the love of God.

Japhet came to Sonshine in January 2017 with his older sisters Mary and Rose. Living in a rough mining town was very difficult. Their father died from Tuberculosis and their mother entered a lifestyle of prostitution for survival. The children’s neglect brought unthinkable abuse. An aunt was contacted in a different location, and the children were pulled out of the mining town. The aunt lived in a very run-down house with 3 of her own children. While the aunt was out working all day, the unprotected children were tragically further abused. This led to hospitalization and God's miracle intervention through Sonshine. Today, Japhet is well and growing strong in faith, trust, and wisdom. The Julius siblings show the glory and goodness of God every day.

Thomas and his older brother Peter came to Sonshine in March 2021. Disability and illness were a big challenge for their parents. From this unfortunate environment came significant malnutrition and poor health. It became so concerning that social services and police got involved. Sonshine received an urgent request for help. A caring team from the ministry met with the father to help him understand the best options for the survival of his sons. With assurance, the father agreed to have Sonshine care for the brothers. Today, Thomas is growing strong with joy and good health. He and his brother are a blessing to the Sonshine family and staff. The opportunity for an amazing future for Thomas and Peter is very exciting through the support of kind-hearted sponsors.