Meet the Children
Date of Birth: March 16, 2005
Gender: female
Ikra was born on March 16, 2005. Her mother died only 13 days later, and her father did not accept his role as Ikra's caregiver. Essentially orphaned less than two weeks into her life, Ikra was taken in by her uncle-an impoverished villager who had no means, financial or otherwise, of supporting an infant. No one in Ikra's life nursed her, or provided her with an acceptable substitute for breast milk. In the care of her extended family, Ikra drank water, the juice of unripe mangoes, and a drink called togwa, which is the early, unfermented, (non-alcoholic) form of a local beer. Ikra's uncle had no way to provide her with any form of milk. The health of the infant rapidly declined. For comfort, Ikra was given uji, a porridge made from water and corn flour, that provided her with little nutritional value. It was the best food available.
In October 2005, Elvis visited Ikra and her uncle at their family home. He observed Ikra's surroundings, took notice of Ikra's overall health, and informed the uncle about the HPLP and its child sponsorship program. Ikra became the first active "client" of the HPLP. Elvis explained the short-term and long-term strategies of the child sponsorship program. The HPLP would assume responsibility of Ikra's most basic needs, while partnering with the extended family to achieve long-range economic solutions. HPLP provided Ikra with a mosquito net, a bathing tub, powdered milk, tea, sugar and clothing. HPLP also arranged to cover the cost of cow's milk-as much and as often as Ikra needs. The arrangements were made with a neighboring villager who keeps healthy dairy cows.
SIMBA MFAUME
Gender: male
Date of Birth: May 10, 1999
Simba, whose name means ‘lion' in Swahili, is the forth child of Mama Salma and Mzee Said Mfaume. Mzee Said died in 2004 from HIV/AIDS, making his wife the sole caretaker of five children, with no source of income. The district government recommended Elvis visit Mama Salma, and inform her of the HPLP's child sponsorship program. In October of 2005, the children of Mama Salma became addition clients of the HPLP. The project agreed to cover all the children's medical and education expenses, including emergency hospital visits, school fees, uniforms, books and shoes. Even with the help of the HPLP, Mama Salma still had no source of income to provide her children with the most basic needs like food and clothing. After repeated requests to the HPLP for more monetary assistance, Elvis and Mama Salma came up with a more sustainable solution. The HPLP offered Mama Salma a micro-business grant to set up a small food stand in her village. She was then able to support herself and cover more of her children's basic needs by selling rice, beans, tea, and snacks to neighboring villagers. Simba finished chekechea (kindergarten) in 2005 and is currently enrolled in primary school. Simba, even more than his siblings, loves to play! His most recent fascination is climbing trees. Simba also enjoys playing soccer and dancing around to music. Simba hopes are "to eat a lot and become big." His dream is to one day become a teacher.
ZIADA MFAUME
Date of Birth: June 10, 1995
Gender: female
Ziada is the third child of Mama Salma and Mzee Said Mfaume. Ziada has grown up side by side with her sister Mwazani. They are in the same class at the Juhudi Primary School, despite their slight difference in age. Ziada loves singing, reading, listening to stories, playing rede, jumping rope and athletics. Ziada dreams of having a stable, full-time job for a successful company.
MWAZANI MFAUME
Date of Birth: September 6, 1993
Gender: female
Mwazani is the second child and oldest daughter of Mama Salma and Mzee Said Mfaume. Mwazani studies in the same class as her sister Ziada at Juhudi Primary School. Mwazani loves to sing, read, and listen to hadithi (traditional stories), which are handed down orally, from generation to generation. Mwazani also enjoys playing rede, mdako(similar to marbles), and jumping rope. Mwazani's great hope is to be able to stay enrolled in school, and study, study, study. She dreams of one day working in a supermarket or for a big company somewhere in Tanzania.
ABDALAH MFAUME
Date of Birth: June 20, 1991
Gender: male
Abdalah is the oldest child of Mama Salma and Mzee Said Mfaume. Abdalah recently graduated from Juhudi Primary School, and is now enrolled in a competitive secondary school. Abdalah likes to draw, paint, play soccer, and read story books and novels. In school, his favorite subjects are mathematics, science, Swahili and English. Abdalah's great hope is to finish secondary school and enter into higher education. His dream is to be a big businessman and a social entrepreneur-someone capable of supporting disadvantaged children and empowering marginalized communities in his native Tanzania.