Joy of a Child™

	Afusa Kansanje Afusa Kansanje is Arafat’s little sister who came to Joy of a Child™ with him. Afusa loves to cook with Esther and dreams of being a mother when she grows up.
	Arafat Turibame Arafat Turibame is from Rutooma. He lost his dad due to HIV/AIDS, and his mom abandoned him and his younger sister, Afusa. Arafat and Afusa were left in the custody of their grandmother, who would often beat them and withhold food. They were both severely malnourished, abused, and not in school when they came to us in February of 2009. Both are now healing from their difficult past and are eager students in school. Arafat is very protective of his little sister and wants to be a farmer when he grows up.
	Daniel Kamanzi Daniel Kamanzi is the young son of David and Esther Kamanzi. He is known as the "Warrior."
	Davin Tinyefuza Davin Tinyefuza is one of the older boys in the home. He was born in 1997. He was abandoned by his mom who left him with his grandparents when he was just a year old. He has been with Joy of a Child™ since January 2008. He is a good friend to Arafat and the Lord used Davin to help heal wounds in Arafat’s heart. Davin loves to play soccer and he is the Joy of a Child™ dance force leader.
	Emmanuel (“Emmy”) Arinaitwe Emmanuel (“Emmy”) Arinaitwe came to live with at Joy of a Child™ after the death of his father from HIV/AIDS. Emmy is like the pastor of the home—he loves to pray a lot, and before he sleeps he wakes others up to pray! He enjoys playing soccer and he is an important part of the dance force team. Emmy would like to be a doctor when he grows up.
	Joseph Kwikiriza Joseph Kwikiriza was abandoned by his mother and was found in the city dump when he was just two years old. He has been with Joy of a Child™ since January 2008. He likes playing soccer and enjoys hanging out with friends at church. He is very bright and excels in school. His dream is to be a lawyer when he grows up.
	Junior Mbikize Junior Mbikize was found on the streets after he had lost his dad. His mom could not take care of him because she did not have a job. He is one of the first boys that lived with Joy of Child. When his mom got a job, Joy of a Child™ recommended he move back with her, which he did. He is currently living with his mom and Joy of a Child™ supports him by covering his school fees. Junior is part of the extension program. He does not live at the house.
	Kakuru Provia Kakuru Provia came to live with Joy of a Child™ after fleeing from her parents who were trying to sell her for cows. She came looking for a job but was unemployable because she was underage. She has become an important part of the Joy of a Child™ family and enjoys helping around the house.
	Keith Akandwanaho Keith Akandwanaho lost his mom and lived with his dad who is Muslim. After becoming a Christian, Keith’s father disowned him and kicked him out of the family home leaving him with no place to go. Joy of a Child™ was happy to provide a home and a family to Keith who chose to follow Christ even when it cost him a relationship with his father.
	Moreen Amumpire Moreen Amumpire lost her parents and was forced to live with her uncle, who molested her. When she told people what had happened her uncle got very angry, so she started fleeing. She ran to the police, and they led her to a woman who knew about Esther and her heart for women and girls in these types of situations. She brought Moreen to where Esther works in town, and she has been staying with Joy of a Child™ ever since.
	Patrick Rwendaire Patrick Rwendaire came to live with Joy of a Child™ after the death of his mom who was killed by the first attack of the LRA rebels in the western Uganda. His dad was shot in his leg and became lame. All of his family’s belongings were taken away by the rebels, and five-year-old Patrick was left to care for his dad. His dad would force him to go look for jobs and bring money for food. Many times he would bump into grown men who would beat him up, and when he would go back home without money his dad would beat him up as well. Patrick gave his life to Christ. He loves to play soccer. When he grows up he would like to be the President of Uganda.
	Ruth Tusiime Ruth Tusiime came to live with Joy of a Child™ after she had lost her mom while living with her disabled father. Ruth is Patrick’s sister, and she ran away from home because their dad could not take care of them properly. He also harassed the kids because he would come home drunk and ask them to sleep outside. She ran away and ended up in Fort Portal where she ended up working in a bar. Later she came to Joy of Child for a visit with her brother, Patrick, and has stayed since.
	Shiba Nayima Shiba Nayima was forced into prostitution by her mother in order to make about 1,000 shillings a night, which is less than 50 cents in the United States. She has a son named Kamari, and they live in a nearby town. Shiba is currently free from sex slavery, and thanks to Joy of a Child™ is now attending a sewing school nearby with the dream of becoming a seamstress. Shiba is part of the extension program. She does not live at the house.
	Shivan Kamanzi Shivan Kamanzi is the “big girl” in the house. She takes care of her younger friend, Afusa, by dressing and bathing her. Shivan was abandoned by her mother and lived with her grandparents. She loves to play hide and seek and football and would like to be a doctor when she grows up.
	Umalu Mpumwire Umalu Mpumwire is an HIV/ AIDS orphan. He was passed from relative to relative and was forced to work when he was just four years old. He has been with Joy of a Child™ since January 2008. He enjoys helping Esther with the cooking. Umalu would like to be a pastor when he grows up.