Antonio

Today we welcomed Antonio into our home! He actually arrived in our center last week, along with his twin sister, Eliza. They've never been separated and rely on each other a lot so we thought it best that he stay with her in the girls area for a bit while he got used to the center. We are praying he will adjust well to our dorm! Other missionaries here at the center have known of them for about a year. Their parents have both passed away and they were living with their grandmother. Sadly, she didn't want them and didn't take care of them. The little money she made carrying water, she spent on alcohol. The kids mostly begged in their community and people in the church helped as well. We are so grateful to be able to be here for children like these, to be able to pour the love of the Father into their wounded hearts, to take care of their physical needs and shower them with love and joy. Please pray for Antonio and his sister Eliza to feel at home here and to know they too are children of God!

Armando Chilongue

Welcome to Armando! His birth date is April 21, 2000. His older brother, Abelo, has lived in our dorm for about seven years so they don't really know each other. Sadly, their mother died in the beginning of October so Armando had to come live here as well. He's only just arrived this week so I don't really know him yet. He speaks very little Portuguese, mostly Shangaan, but he'll quickly learn and we'll be able to chat more. He's pretty quiet and shy but I think he knows what he wants as well! Please pray for God to bind up his broken heart and reassure him that he is a child of God!

Elidio

Elidio arrived in September, along with his sister who lives in the girls area. His mother is diabled, walking only on her hands and knees. Recently, her husband was angry at her and threw boiling water on her. So we have her two youngest while the other kids stay with her to help her. We are hopeful that Elidio and his sister will be able to return home after his mother has recuperated, although of course, we're cautious about the father's presence. Elidio is delightful, seems to be always happy and has adpated amazingly well to his new home. He is inquisitive and very obedient but always up for a good time! He's just lovely!

Domingos

Domingos has been living in another center for the last six years. Sadly, we have recently received several children from this center who weren't being looked after properly. Domingos was frequently left sitting unclothed, in his vomit and regurgitation. We thought he had a gastro-intestinal problem but upon arriving at our center and being fed and cared for properly, he has almost stopped vomiting completely. We think he was just eating so fast to avoid others from stealing his food. His father has since visited and told us his mother left for South Africa, abandoning her family. The father is unable to give Domingos the care he needs and work and he has never remarried. Domingos is nearly 10, doesn't speak and wears diapers. We're not sure yet what he's capable of in the natural but in God, he's unlimited! We have faith for great things for Domingos!

Inacio

Inacio actually arrived first in our dorm at the beginning of 2007. He then went to live in the next dorm up because he is nearly 10. But because he has medical needs, it was decided that he would come back and live in my dorm to make sure he is properly looked after. He is very petite, if you can say that about a boy, and thin, but he is doing so well now. He had been living with his dad who wasn't caring for his medical needs properly, which is why he came to live with us. Sadly, his father passed away in about July. Inacio is well-liked by all the other boys: when he came back, there was a near riot over which bedroom he would live in, they all wanted him! He is very loving, gives amazing hugs, and has a sweet and gentle spirit.

Thabo

Khosa Thabo, whom we call Thabo, arrived in May, 2007. His birthday is July 28, 1999. One of our pastors had seen him looking very sick and neglected and asked our home visit staff to visit him. They quickly determined he was seriusly ill and not being cared for properly. Although he is almost eight, he doesn't walk or stand on his own. But he is bright and interested in everything that is going on around him. He shares his name with the president of South Africa and we all believe for great things for him as well. (Update: Thabo just spent one month in the hospital and came home to us this week, very weak and thin. Please pray for his healing and complete restoration to the boy God created him to be!)

Antonino

Antonino arrived in January,2007 . He is five years old although we don't have documents with his birthdate. Both of his parents are deceased and he was living with his two older sisters and older brother for the last year. The two sisters have come to live in our center as well, as the brother is only 15 and unable to care for them in the home any longer. A kind neighbor was helping but it was taxing for her. Antonino is very bright, outgoing, a talker with a high, squeaky voice! He has a great time with everyone! He also is a great addition to our dorm.

Estevao

Estevao's bithday is in May, 2002. Estevao was VERY excited to move into our dorm in January, from the Baby house. His older brother, Paulo, already lives in our dorm, so he couldn't wait to be with him. He is an absolute charmer - have to watch he doesn't get away with a lot cuz of how cute he is! He's quite bright and self-confident, with a great sense of humor. He's a delightful addition to our family!

Agostinho

Agostino was brought to our center by the local police, where he had been staying for a few months while they tried to locate his family. We do not know his birthdate but he is approximately 4-5 years old. We continue to look for any family, as he is very aware of surrounding towns and may be able to lead us to his family. Agostino is full of delight and joy but he can also get in a lot of trouble by provoking other children. He has difficulty focusing and is always into something. But he is absolutely beaming when he gives you one of his big hugs. He loves all food and he isn’t sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Glouber

Glouber’s birthdate is September 5, 1997. Glouber’s dad passed away this summer and his step-mother brought him here because there were 21 people living in their home. Although she has continued to take an interest in him (brought him a birthday cake, took him home for a visit) so we are hopeful that perhaps he can return to live there. He seems a bit lost here and although he has friends, he is quite a follower and often overwhelmed. He’s also very loving and sweet-natured.

Feliciano

Feliciano birthdate is February 2002. He came to us from another center. He was quite sick when he arrived and may be developmentally delayed. He is currently functioning similar to a child about three years younger than his age. He quickly adapted to our center and has thrived with the love and attention and his health is improving daily. He has a father who has visited twice since he arrived. We are anticipating doing a home visit to determine the situation of the father. Feliciano is energetic, loves to give hugs and is the delight of the older boys living in the dorm with him. He loves yogurt!

Adilson

Adilson came to our center in 2006. He is approximately 10 years old. The police brought him here after he was removed from his home after his father beat him severely. His father is under ongoing investigation by the police and social welfare to determine if he can return to the home. Adilson is very smart and savvy. He is well-spoken and is in his correct grade for his age, one of very few boys in our dorm who are. He can be a bit of a scrapper but has really been changing. He gave a testimony in church that he used to steal but now he doesn’t anymore because God has helped him! He is unsure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Paito Dambo

Paito’s birthdate is December 24, 1994. His younger brother lives in the same dorm as he does. Paito is severely hearing impaired but has recently been fitted with hearing aids that are helping him tremendously. He keeps to himself quite a bit, due to his hearing loss we presume, but the other boys like him and he does play with them as well. He goes to a school for the hearing impaired in the city which is a tremendous blessing for him. He is bright and friendly and extremely artistically creative. He isn’t sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Abelo

Abelo’s birthday is celebrated on June 25, 1997. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He has three older siblings in our center. After visits to his home, it’s been decided there is no possibility of reintegration at this time. Abelo loves to help with everything! He can at times be extremely stubborn, once having to spend a week in another dorm for his negative behavior. Since that time though, he’s been a gem! He loves chicken, fish and Hot Tamales and says he wants to be a professor when he grows up.

Adilson

Adilson’s birthdate is May 2, 2000. He has no siblings and his mother recently passed away. He has extended family that have just begun visiting in the last two months after his mom passed away. Adilson is loud, funny, outgoing, loving and a bit stubborn. With the arrival of some children younger than him recently, he has become more self-controlled and more of a leader. His favorite food is chicken and he isn’t sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Afonso

Afonso’s birthdate is February 26, 2001. He has a mother and his home has been deemed unsuitable for him to live in at the present. He has no siblings living in our center. Afonso is fairly quiet but very thoughtful and deliberate. He cuts a straight line better than most of our 8 year olds but it might take him ten minutes to do it! He is very loving and bright. His favorite food is beans and he isn’t sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Agostinho

Agostino’s birthdate is March 6, 1998. He came to live with us after both his parents passed away. He was very sick and had many sores and infections. He was lovingly cared for and is so lovely now. His older brother came to live in our center about six months later. Agostino is very bright, has a great sense of humor and a quick smile. He loves chicken and says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Albano

Albano’s birthday is celebrated June 22, 1998. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. The police brought him to our center almost two years ago, saying he was lost in the city. He was lost from his parents so we have no family information on him. He told us a lot of information but we’ve gone to the area he said he was from three times and none of the information he gave us has been correct. Albano is very smart and creative. He can read and write quite well for a boy his age, he can create anything (televisions with people watching them!) with Play-Dough and he gets good marks in school. He is also in trouble a lot, primarily with other kids, rarely defiant to adults. His favorite food is fish and he says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Angelo

Angelo’s birthdate is July 18, 2000. He has a twin brother, Ernesto, who lives in another Iris children’s center but they see each other often. He has a mother who is mentally unstable and causes quite a lot of problems for our center and in fact, is not permitted to visit the boys here. Angelo is full of joy and life! He’s a lot of fun to have around and is growing out of his pouting stage if things don’t go quite his way – I can relate! His favorite food is fish and he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Antonino

Antonino’s birthday is celebrated on November 24, 1997. We don’t know his birthdate so we created one for him. He has an older brother living in our center. Antonino is a bit behind academically, not reading or writing well. He is very quick to hug and love, he has a very sweet spirit. Our records indicate he has parents who had insufficient conditions to care for him but no one knows where the parents are now, although we continue to investigate. He loves beans and says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Armandinho

Armandinho’s birthday is celebrated on May 23, 1997. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He has an older half-brother whom he visits sometimes. They had the same father, who passed away just before he came to our center. His mother had passed away earlier. Armandinho is very quiet and shy. He needs a bit of help with academic learning. He also has a foot that turns inward that does not inhibit his walking but needs careful looking after so it doesn’t become a bigger problem. He loves salad and says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Betinho

Betinho’s birthday is celebrated on November 7, 1995. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He came to our center approximately five years ago from another government orphanage. He was lost from his parents so we have no family information on him. Betinho is smart – one of only three boys in his dorm to get 20 out of 20 on his recent school test! He’s also kind, quick to apologize if he’s done something wrong, and very thoughtful. He loves chicken and Hot Tamales and says he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up.

Beto

Beto’s birthdate is September 26, 1997. He has a mother who is quite sick and rarely visits. He has a grandmother whom he stays with on some holidays. Beto is very smart and does well in school. He is a natural leader and until just recently, has always led other kids well. We’ve had a few defiant incidents lately so I’m praying that won’t get worse. He is very helpful, loves to play soccer (and is very good!) and loves to dance the Electric Slide with me! His favorite food is fish and he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up.

Chico

Chico’s birthday is celebrated July 15, 1995. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. Our records indicate he has parents who had insufficient conditions to care for him but no one knows where the parents are now, although we continue to investigate. He has a younger brother in our center as well. Chico is what I call “pushing the limits” frequently now. He’s one of the oldest boys in his dorm and doesn’t always want to cooperate with the rules and systems in place. He is behind a bit academically. He does like to please and blossoms with attention. He loves Hot Tamales and beans and says he wants to be a teacher when he grows up.

David

David’s birthdate is September 20, 1996. His parents are both deceased but he has a great-aunt, his grandmother’s sister, who he visits sometimes. He has older siblings living with her but none here at the center. David can be quite precocious and has a difficult time controlling his anger but he is making good progress. He is also very smart, doing well in school and with reading. He loves chicken and says he wants to be a driver when he grows up

Edson

Edson’s birthdate is April 9, 1996. His parents and one brother were killed in a car accident that he survived when he was quite little. He has one older brother a well who lives here at our center. He has two sets of grandparents that he visits regularlyand we are hopeful that he may be able to live with them. Edson is very bright, funny, tender hearted and very well-behaved. He gets along well with and is respected by all the boys. He loves chicken and fish and says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Elias

Elias’ birthdate is March 11, 1996. He is a very sweet, soft-spoken boy, who seems a bit younger than his age. He has a family who live near the city garbage dump, where they typically look for things to sell to live off of. They don’t provide adequate care for Elias to be able to live there with them. He has no siblings living in our center. He loves fish and chicken and says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Fabiao

Fabiao’s birthdate is celebrated on. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. His parents are both dead and he has no grandparents or aunts and uncles. He has a slightly older brother who lives here in our center and an 18 year old brother who lives on his own whom he visits sometimes. Fabiao is pretty reserved but he gets along well with the other boys and I can’t recall a single disciplinary incident with him. He’s quite good in school and loves to dance in church. His favorite food is rice and he says he wants to be a teacher when he grows up.

Fauso

Fauso’s birthdate is September 6, 1997. His mother visits him occasionally but isn’t able to provide a safe home for he and his older brother who also lives in our center. Fauso is such a delightful boy, very smart, hard-working and fun-loving! He gets along with all the boys, he is very honest and rarely, if ever, gets in trouble. His favorite foods are chicken and cake and he says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Ivo

Jamito

Jamie’s birthdate is September 24, 1996. He is one of 11 children! Several of them have lived here but have recently been reintegrated. We are hopeful that he will be able to move home to live with his mom soon as well. Jamito is a darling boy with a big smile and a cheerful disposition. He is well-liked and is very well-behaved. His favorite food is chicken and fish and he says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Joao Macamo

Joao’s birthday is celebrated May 15, 1994. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He came to our center approximately five years ago from another government orphanage. He was lost from his parents so we have no family information on him. Joao is developmentally delayed, he can talk but has difficulty understanding or communicating difficult concepts. He functions at a much lower age rate. He is one of the most loving children in the entire center, quick to give a hug and a thumbs up and to share what he has with everyone else. He loves ALL food and says he wants to be president when he grows up

Joao Albertino

Joao’s birthday is celebrated March 9, 1998. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. The police brought him to our center after they found him begging at the airport. He was approximately 4 years old and unable to provide any reliable information to the police that would help locate his family. They did a radio and television announcement but were unsuccessful. Joao is very personable, friendly and outgoing. He is a little behind academically. His favorite food is beans and he says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Joshua

Joshua’s birthdate is April 22, 1996. He is one of a set of triplets! That’s pretty miraculous to have all three have survived here. His two sisters live in our center as well. His home has been investigated and it is not likely that they will be able to be reintegrated. Joshua is quite smart, loves school and has a huge smile and plays so well with the other boys. He loves chicken and says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Manito

Manito’s birthdate is March 27, 1996. He has a twin brother, Nelinho, in this dorm. His parents are dead but he has an older teenage brother living on their family land. When he is older, he will be able to live there as well. Currently, his father’s best friend’s family takes he and Nelinho in for holidays and visits and look after them like their own. They can’t live there permanently because the family has seven children of their own! Manito has had a pretty severe anger problem but in the last year has improved tremendously. He is staying calm and making much better choices when he is upset. I am very proud of him! His favorite food is fish and he says he wants to be a bus conductor when he grows up.

Marcos

Marcos’ birthdate is May 31, 1997. His mother is mentally ill and lives on the streets in the city. His father lives in Italy! He has extended family that we are hopeful will be able to take him to live with them. He has an older brother who did live in this dorm but now lives in the next one up. Marcos has a very tender spirit, he is kind and feels things deeply. He’s also funny and has a great sense of humor – I call him a little Richard Pryor! His favorite food is fish and he says he wants to be either a soccer player or a pastor when he grows up.

Max

Max’s birthdate is celebrated on June 10, 1998. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. Max was living with his mother in South Africa when she passed away this year. His father abandoned the family many years earlier. Max’s older sister, who had lived in our center previously, brought him here to ask if we would look after him. She is just a teenager and unable to look after him herself. Max is very bright, taking top marks in his grade at school! He also can be quite angry at times and gets into scrapes with other kids frequently. His favorite food is chicken and he isn’t sure what he’d like to be when he grows up.

Nandino

Nandino’s birthdate is April 28, 1997. He has a younger sister who lives here as well. His mother lives nearby and attends church but is mentally and emotionally unstable and unable to provide a safe home for them. Nandino frequently misbehaves, not in any huge way but in a regular fashion of doing his own thing. He rarely smiled when he arrived here and can still be withdrawn but is much happier now. He loves fish and says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Nelinho

Nelinho’s birthdate is March 27, 1996. He has a twin brother, Manito, in this dorm. His parents are dead but he has an older teenage brother living on their family land. When he is older, he will be able to live there as well. Currently, his father’s best friend’s family takes he and Manito in for holidays and visits and look after them like their own. They can’t live there permanently because the family has seven children of their own! Nelinho is very quiet and rather withdrawn but very helpful and obedient. His favorite food is salad and he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Nelson

Nelson’s birthday is celebrated December 7, 1995. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He came to our center approximately five years ago from another government orphanage. He was lost from his parents so we have no family information on him. Nelson is a very tender and sweet boy but also quite sensitive and gets upset rather easily. He is a bit of a loner, he has friends but also can often be found wandering around a bit by himself. He loves chicken and Hot Tamales and says he wants to be a professor when he grows up.

Paito

Paito’s birthdate is August 17, 1995. He has an older brother who lives in the next dorm. Their father is dead but their mother is living and they visit her frequently. She is lovely but quite sick and unable to provide for them. Paito is very respectful and obedient but also full of spunk and personality. He has a lot of friends both in and out of this dorm. He has a very good sense of humor. His favorite food is chicken and Hot Tamales and he says he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up.

Paulo

Paulo’s birthday is May 30, 2000. He has a younger brother in the Baby House. Paulo’s mother visits occasionally and he enjoys seeing her. Unfortunately, she rarely lives in one place very long and her unstable home life prevents her from being able to care for her sons adequately. Paulo is a very happy, loving boy who loves to smile and hug and cuddle. He is in pre-school and does fairly well – he enjoys it tremendously. His favorite food is beans and he isn’s sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Pedro

Pedro’s birthday is celebrated November 19, 2005. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. He came to our center approximately five years ago from another government orphanage. He was lost from his parents so we have no family information on him. Pedro speaks quite good English and thus is a big help to missionaries and visitors alike. He is very bright and really enjoys studying and helping with household chores. He is friends with a lot of boys, quick to share and to forgive. He loves chicken feet and fish and says he wants to be a nurse when he grows up.

Rafin

Rafin’s birthdate is June 9, 1997. His has an older brother who lives here in our center. His mother is deceased and his father is quite elderly, in his 60s I believe and has a disability that prevents him from working. He does not have a home to care for Rafin in. Rafin is the boy I like to say cannot tell a lie. I can’t be 100% sure but he always seems to tell the truth, even when he’s done something wrong, which is often. It’s like I can watch him try and lie but he ends up telling the truth. He is fun-loving and cheerful but gets picked on quite a bit by others. He loves chicken and rice and says he wants to be a driver when he grows up.

Selso

Selso’s birthday is celebrated on September 28, 1996. We aren’t sure of his birthdate so we created one for him. His situation is not clear for us at this time. He was brought into our center one night from street ministry, having said his parents were both killed in a train wreck. He has since said he was living with an aunt. We are continuing to investigate. Selso is not outright defiant but has a bit of a “challenge authority” demeanor. He is quite smart, not just academically but seems to have had a variety of exposure a lot of our other kids haven’t had. He loves chicken and isn’t sure what he wants to be when he grows up.

Silavio

Silavio’s birthdate is June 27, 1997. He has a younger sister living in our center as well. He has a mother who is unable to care for her children. She rarely visits. Silavio is very bright and has a delightful sense of humor. He plays well with other kids and gets along with everyone. He is very well liked. He does well in school as well. His favorite food is beans and he says he wants to be a pastor when he grows up.

Tome

Tome’s birthdate is August 8, 1997. His older brother, Toto, lives in this dorm and two older brother who were living here but just moved home in November, 2006. His mother is dead but his father has a home nearby. We are hopeful he and his older brother will be able to move home as well. Tome has been quite a challenge behaviorally although this year has shown great improvement. His has frequent angry outbursts where he persists in hurting other children. I am encouraged by his progress though. I would say that Tome is a rather unhappy child, somewhat moody and rarely smiles of laughs but when he does it’s a joy! His favorite food is chicken and he says he wants to be a soccer player when he grows up.

Toto

Toto’s birthdate is March 29, 1995 He has a younger brother living here in this dorm and two older brother who were living here but just moved home in November, 2006. His mother is dead but his father has a home nearby. We are hopeful he and his younger brother will be able to move home as well. Toto is very smart and actually likes to study! He is soft-spoken but a leader, kind of behind the scenes. He is very respectful and helpful. His favorite food is cabbage and he says he wants to be a policeman when he grows up.