The dream to help orphan children in Africa – From the founder:
For as long as I can remember I have been wanting to help orphan children in Africa and visit Kilimanjaro. This dream started, back in Romania, approximately 1979-1980. The probability of me leaving then communist Romania for an African trip, seemed impossible to say the least. However, my 4-5 year old mind did not comprehend borders or impossibilities. I kept this heart wish as vivid as I could.
When the opportunity came to go into nursing school at 14 years old, I thought “I can probably become a nurse or a doctor and eventually make it to Africa that way”. After all, they always seemed to need medical help. My first year in nursing school communism fell and my hopes grew brighter. By the time I finished, 4 years later, plans changed. I thought that I had a better chance to go help African kids as a missionary – so I pursued theology in university.
Second year of college, plans changed in November ’95 and within 8 days, I found myself in the US alone, not speaking English, no family, no friends, no money, just one small suitcase… To say that those first few months were hard is an understatement. Nearly three decades have passed… I opened and closed businesses, met new friends, I had successes and hardships and made the best out of my new life on another continent. The flames of the African dreams were nearly extinguished by daily life, trials, tribulations, and mainly, overworking.
The Long Road to Helping Orphan Children In Africa
A good friend, Candy, remembered that I had told her about my dreams of Africa and invited me to take a safari with her in ’21. All childhood dreams of African children and Kilimanjaro, came rushing back. Not climbing the peak, but rather children, animals and savannas, life in villages.
However, coming out of Covid, reason dictated that, after two years of no work, I should not spend money on a trip to Africa. I didn’t tell her that – I told her that I would think about it. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and a few excited shares with friends that I would love to go to Africa, my birthday came along in April. I wanted a celebration for all our show cast to celebrate everyone at once. Even got them all cupcakes, candles and name cards. The rule was no presents, only celebrations!
One Exception!
Our friend, Todd said that he would come from California as well… Surprising, as Todd never visited us before. He broke the first rule, and showed up with a present. I wanted to open it either before or after everyone was here, but Todd would not let me. Said that I had to open it in front of everyone.
It was a very old Maasai wooden dream box. Apparently, you’re supposed to put your written dreams in it, and they would come true. In the box there was a $3000 check. The only condition was that I spend it to go to Africa or give it back. Another friend, Jase, included $20 with my card because, over lunch, I told him I needed $20 to go to Africa. In tears, I decided it was time to go to Africa.
Checking online to see if there were any opportunities to volunteer with kids in Tanzania, since that’s where we were going, I found one organization that was more flexible than others. I decided to go one week ahead and volunteer. They connected me with Benson Mariki and he was to place me at any organization in Arusha that needed day care help for children.
A life-long dream realized!
The African dream was finally coming true. And more specifically, I was going to land at Kilimanjaro airport.
Only days before leaving, I received an email from Benson saying that he decided to place me at an orphanage. After crying with joy at the realization of what was happening, I started inquiring about things that the kids may need that I could possibly bring. I was told clothes would be best.
The overwhelming response from friends
I reached out to friends immediately and received an overwhelming response. Mary Sue met me with a suitcase full of clothes from her kids. We also went and bought a few additional things. Abby, a 12 year old girl, that I met through the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, gave me some of her clothes, and $50 to buy more things for the kids when I go there. Skip gave me some of his shirts for the older kids. My friend, Andrea, and her two teen daughters (Chrissy & Fran), whom she adopted just last year, gave me some of their clothes. Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation – with which I have been working since 2006, gave me all the shirts they had made for camp, since, with Covid, that didn’t happen. I took everything I could fit anything in 2 suitcases. I was set.
Second major life change
For the second time in my life, I landed on a new continent – Africa – June 26th, 2021, all by myself. But this time it was different. It was my dream coming to reality!
June 27th, 2021 was the first day Ben took me to meet the kids at Christ Hope Orphanage. We opened the suitcases, and gave everything I had brought to the children. I was ecstatic and the kids were so loving and happy! And the hugs – the hugs were the best part!
The things you don’t think children still go without
As the week progressed, I learned just how many more things were needed: bathroom doors, spoons, plates, food, more pants for the boys, shoes, electricity money, and the list goes on. I helped as much as I could. Steven, the director of the orphanage got someone to give us a quote and we put new doors on the bathrooms. There was no privacy before. The stalls were open, with both, boys and girls using the facilities. This was a double reward: the kids had privacy and the payment went to a local wood shop.
I also paid the electricity for the month. With Abby’s contribution and what I added, I bought 50 pairs of shoes, 27 pairs of pants. Benson and Grace, who worked at the orphanage, helped pick out everything that was immediately needed.
Never forget
Earlier in the week I had seen some of the children with lunch on their plate, yet not eating it. It intrigued me, but I didn’t ask anyone, I just observed. The next day, I watched as a 7 year old finished eating and handed her spoon to a younger child. The younger one went and washed it quickly and began eating. I realized they didn’t have enough spoons for everyone to eat at once. Spoons – these children needed more spoons. So I went into town and got more spoons and plates. I cannot think of this and not cry even now.
I left Tanzania 3 weeks later, but a piece of me stayed with the kids. We had a few video chats, but nothing could replace the void left by not being with them. I started to think of what else I could do. I knew this was a lifetime connection.
The vision from my grandmother
Rewinding to the weekend after my grandmother passed away, over 12 years ago… I had a vision that evening, while mourning, of an entire children’s village where orphan children would be safe and loved all the way into adulthood. Where, in a family environment, kids that are otherwise orphan, would be nurtured the same way that my grandma nurtured me. Where they would fit it, be care for, not go hungry, and simply be kids. Have toys, have a parent figure that makes time for them, have clothes, food, education and more than anything, have the love and support needed to develop well starting early in life. This vision had found the perfect match in the million+ kids left orphan in Tanzania. It was here that I could merge the two dreams and start helping! [See the village plans under what we plan to do on the website.]
Second trip to Africa
I decided to determine if, for sure, my new path was going to be helping orphan children in Africa. When I went back to Tanzania in February 2022, more friends stepped in with more donations – money and clothes. John, Stephanie, Tuesday, Anthony & Amy, thank you all for your contributions.
I met more children in Mwanza orphaned from the HIV epidemic. They are getting treatment for USAID, through NACOPHA (a local NGO). For that to have better effect, they need better nutrition and health insurance, not to mention other strict necessities, school uniforms, clothes, shoes, backpacks, mattresses, etc.
I also visited another children’s village. This is the closest thing I’ve seen to my original family environment vision – Rift Valley Children’s Village. They currently have 103 children in their care – I got to meet some of them. More clothes donated, more tears shed, more hugs and smiles. We would love to continue donating to them.
Dreams do come true!
So, yes, the answer was a resounding YES! The time has come for me to put all my efforts into helping the beautiful children I met In Africa! I knew needed to do more. I returned home to Henderson, Nevada with a mission. To be able to do more, I had to open a non-profit foundation in the US. I also had to form a Non Governmental Organization in Tanzania.
My wonderful friend, Albert Marquis, incorporated the Sure Wave Foundation as a non-profit organization here in the US in March 2022 and continues to guide us as a board member.
Benson Mariki is the chair person and our partner in Sure Wave Foundation, Tanzania. Adrina Mariki – works at the National Tanzanian Broadcast company, Nasra Bakari – works for an NGO out of Switzerland, Verdiana Paul – is an avid environmentalist, and Last Mlaki – works for NACOPHA and introduced us to the kids and youth affected by HIV, joined us to form the board of the Tanzanian NGO. Proud to say that all hearts are into helping. [Read more about the impact made already]
Good omens and our work with orphan children in Africa begins!
The NGO – Sure Wave Foundation Tanzania, was finalized exactly one year from the first day I met the first orphan children in Africa – June 27th, 2022. I’ll take that as a great omen for things to come!
And so the real work begins! Our immediate plan is to raise funds, and get help where it’s most impactful, with the guidance of our Tanzanian team. Our secondary plan is the opening of a eco-village that provides shelter and a wonderful life for other orphan children, as well as jobs and support to the community in the Kilimanjaro/Arusha region.
Please consider donating or volunteering! We really appreciate all your help!
– Sonia Miller, Founder CEO
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