My Name is
Zelalem
Zelalem
Zelalem and her twin brother, Malesse, were orphaned when they were only a year old. Their mother became pregnant while working at a hotel, and their father was never a part of their lives. When their mother died, a cousin and his mother cared for the twins. Because of poor health, they could no longer provide for the children, and the situation became desperate. The Women and Children’s Agency in Mojo, Ethiopia contacted Rafiki. Zelalem and her brother arrived at the Village in 2015. Zelalem now enjoys studying the Bible. Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 9:20–21 and her favorite hymn is "Nothing but the Blood" because it teaches her about how God forgives her sin.
DOB: Feb 8, 2010
Irene
Irene and her sister were abandoned by their parents as young children. They lived on their own in a mud hut for many months.
Valiness
From a young age, Valiness lived with her impoverished grandmother who could not provide for her needs.
Abraham
After Abraham's mother died, he was sent to live with his aunt.
Gadissa
Gadissa, along with his sister Feyise, were orphaned in 2008 and placed in the care of an impoverished aunt.
William
William was brought to a hospital with head injuries in August 2003.
Gift
Gift and her sister, Peace, were orphaned in 2010 when their father died of AIDs. Their mother abandoned the family in 2008 and is believed to be...
Samuel
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Aaron
Aaron was abandoned as a small child near a police station.
Emanuel
Emanuel’s father died in a mountain climbing accident shortly before Emanuel was born, and his mother died when he was five years old.
Bethel
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Timothy
Timothy was abandoned at a church as a small child.
Erick
Erick’s mother died a few hours after he was born due to complications with his delivery.
Sandra
Sandra and her two cousins arrived at the Rafiki Village Rwanda in 2012.
Ruth
Ruth’s mother brought her to the nursery of a hospital for an exam and then abandoned her there.
Phoebe
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Smart
Smart’s mother died two weeks after his birth, and his father died soon after her.
Perpetual
Perpetual arrived at the Rafiki Village Ghana in November 2010.
Bethel
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Peter
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Kenny
Kenny and his brother arrived at the Rafiki Village Rwanda in 2014.
Bernice
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Julia
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
James
Day students are children in need from the communities surrounding the Rafiki Villages who attend our Rafiki Schools with full scholarships or...
Aaron
Aaron was abandoned as a small child near a police station.