Her name means "Love" in Swahili and she is full of it! Always smiling and laughing. Upendo was born in the year 2000. She was raised in the village of Same. Her mother’s name was Stella and her father’s name was Elliabu. Both parents have died. Upendo has two brothers and one sister both are older than her.

Shoe Size: Size 3 Clothing Size: Girls Medium Favorite Color: Black and Pink Wish List: Tennis Ball for Fun, Black School Shoes, Sport's Shoes, School Notebooks, Black Pens

Mwenda was born in 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya. His mother was from Tanzania and his father was from Kenya. Mwenda moved to Tanzania when he was 5 years-old. He had one brother named Nelson who died when he was 3 years-old. He has another brother named, Elia who is living. Elia lives with his grandmother. She can afford to give Mwenda’s brother one meal a day, but can’t take care of his education. Both of Mwenda’s parents have died. His mother’s name was Fausta and his father’s name was Lawrence. Mwenda’s father worked in the publishing industry binding books. His father came from a family where everyone depended on him financially for help.His father died in Kenya from AIDS while Mwenda was in Tanzania with his mother. Mwenda was 5 years-old when his father died. After his father passed away his mother died. She was HIV + but died from Malaria. She had to be on a drip and got very sick. Mwenda remembers getting her water and after she drank it, his mother died. He cries when he tells the story. Before moving to the orphanage, Mwenda would get sick often. He recalls only having one meal a day and rarely having clean water to drink. Life is much better at the orphanage! He loves going to school and when he grows up he wants to be the president of Tanzania. We believe he can! Shoe Size: 8 Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Blue Best Friend: Edward at the Orphanage in Himo Wish List: Black School Shoes, Sports Shoes, Grey Knee High Socks, Vaseline for Dry Skin, Comic Books

Edward was born in May of 1997. His parents died when he was 4 years-old. After his parents died, his grandparents moved him to Kirua to live with them. He had one brother who died when he was young. We are uncertain why. He also has one brother named Innocent who is one year younger than Edward. Life was hard before moving into the orphanage. Edward lived with his uncle, who used to beat him after drinking. He was hungry a lot. Edward enjoys being at the orphanage. He would like to be a business man when he grows up! Shoe Size: 8.5 Clothing Size: Boys Medium to Large Favorite Color: Wish List: BIG strong back pack for all his school books, black and blue pens for school, black school shoes and sports shoes.

Innocent was born in the village of Rombo Mashati near Kilimanjaro. His mother’s name was Maria and his father’s name was Festo. He has one brother named Jonasi who was born around 1998 who lives with him at the orphanage in Himo, Tanzania. He also has a sister whose name is Magdelaina. She was born around 1990 and lives with her grandmother. Innocent had one brother who died of AIDS as well as another sibling who died of hunger. Innocent’s grandfather just died of TB. Innocent is happy he is at the orphanage because he is able to attend school full-time and not worry about where to get his next meal from. Inno is an amazing artist. He is very creative and loves making jewelry as well as drawing. Shoe Size: 8.5 Clothing Size: Boys Medium to Large Favorite Color: Red Wish List: Black School Shoes, Vaseline for His Dry Skin, Grey Knee High School Socks, Sports Shoes, Paper for Drawing

Exuper is a great artist. He has a wonderful smile and is very creative. Exuper was born in Clema, Tanzania in 1998. He has two brothers (Manuel and George). All of his siblings are older than him. His mother has died and his father is struggling to survive.Exuper would like to be a prime minister when he grows up! Shoe Size 7 Clothing Size Medium Favorite Color: Yellow Wish List: Would love a backpack, grey socks for school uniform and trousers

Jonas was born in 1999 in the village of Rombo. His mother’s name was Maria and his father’s name Festo. He has one brother named Innocent who was born around 1998 and one sister named Magdelaina who was born in 1990. She lives with their grandmother. Innocent lives with Jonas at the orphanage. Jonas also had two siblings who died. One died due to hunger and the other from AIDS. His mother and father have both died. His father died during Christmas (not sure of year). He doesn’t remember when his mother died. Jonas would like to be a pilot when he grows up! Shoe Size: 7 to 8 Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Green Wish List: Grey Knee High School Socks, Book on Being a Pilot, School Shoes, Notebooks for School, Reading Books and Black or Blue Pens for School

Gift is a gift! He loves to giggle and get into trouble though! Gift was born in 1988 in Marangu near Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain) in Tanzania. Both of his parents have died and his auntie struggled to take care of him. When Gift grows up he wants to become a football player!

Shoe Size: 36 (Euro) Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Yellow Wish List: Back Pack, School Shoes, Socks (Knee High Grey for Uniform), Sports Shoes

Christopher was born in the village of Machame, Tanzania in 2001. Christopher has two brothers. Deus who was born in 1997 and still lives in Machame. Benard was born in 2000 and lives at the orphanage with Christopher. His father died. His mother is still alive, but struggles to survive in the village. Christopher would like to be a pilot when he grows up! Shoe Size: Size 3 Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Black Wish List: School Uniform Tie, School Socks (Grey Knee High), Large School Back Pack, Football

Shabani is super smart. He is always within the top 5 performers at his school. Shabani was born in 1999 in Kilototoni near Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain). He is Muslim. His father died. His mother is alive. She sells vegetables on the side of the road to stay alive. She earns barely enough to live. His younger brother Juma lives at the orphanage with him as well as his cousin Subira. When Shabani grows up he wants to be a doctor! He is a great student and a top performer in his class! Shoe Size: 3 Clothing Size: Small to Medium Favorite Color: Green Wish List: Black School Shoes, Sports Shoes and Grey Knee High Socks for School

Mary or as we call her, Maria was born in 1997. She is normally #1 in her class. She is very academic, quiet and very well organized. Her father’s name was Ernesti and her mother’s name was Omega. She has 3 brothers and 1 sister. She was four years-old when her mother and father died. Maria used to sleep on a bed frame with no mattress, just clothing covering it. In her bedroom her parents brewed banana beer as an income generator and a way to escape their worries. When Maria grows up she wants to be a teacher! Shoe size: Size 6 Clothing size: Girls Medium to Large Favorite Color: Yellow Wish List: Black School Shoes, School Note Books, Sports Shoes, Dress, Black Pens for School

Benard was born in 2000 in Machame, Tanzania. He has two brothers. His brother Christopher lives at the orphanage with him. His brother Deus lives in Machame. His grandmother takes care of Deus, but struggles. His favorite class is Math and he is an incredible soccer player. Benard would like to be a pilot when he grows up! Shoe Size: 3 Clothing Size: Boys Small Favorite Color: Blue Wish List: Soccer Ball, Soccer Shoes, Grey Socks for School, Sports Shoes and Paper for Drawing

Jackline was born in 1995 in Machame, Tanzania. Before arriving at the orphanage, Jackline and her younger brother lived with her grandparents. Her mother passed away when she was only 9 years old, and she doesn’t remember when her father died. Living with her grandparents meant that Jackline never got to focus on her education as she was always completing chores around the farm. Jackline is now a beautiful teenage girl.She hopes to be a lawyer when she grows up.

Neema was born in Marangu, Tanzania on the 14th of January, 1994. At only 7 months-old, Neema’s father passed away, and just a year later, so did her mother. As a result, her and her two older brothers were raised by their grandparents. She led a very tough life growing up. She was only fed at night before bed and was often very hungry. They lived in a hut covered only by grass and slept on the skin of a cow without sheets or blankets. Drinking water was only available from a nearby river, which is also where they would bathe. Since moving to the orphanage, Neema is much healthier and happier. Food is no longer a worry for her, chicken and eggs being her favorite. She can now concentrate on the things in life that she loves to do! When Neema grows up she wants to be an accountant. She is currently going to secondary school and is at the top of her class!

Omega was born in Mwika, Tanzania. She has 17 siblings who live in various locations throughout Tanzania. When Omega was ten years old both of her parents were murdered and left in the yard where Omega found them. Omega is still very affected by the experience. After this tragic event, Omega's brother attempted to care for her, but struggled in doing so. Now Omega leads a happy life. She recently graduated from primary school and is now attending a very good secondary school. Omega is a beautiful, loving, and gentle young lady. She loves making jewelry and playing net ball. Omega would like to be a secretary.

Revo was born in Uru, Tanzania. He is the youngest of ten siblings. His father died in 2003 and his mother struggled to care for him and his brothers and sisters. Revo's mother is still alive, but is HIV + and unable to care for him. Before he moved to the orphanage, Revo had very little food and slept on the floor on top of a pile of clothes. Revo is an exceptional young man. Despite all that he has gone through, he has become the President of his entire student body, was voted best English speaker of his school and is ranked number one in his class. He is currently studying at a great secondary school. Revo is a natural born leader and is a role model for all of the other children at the orphanage. One day Revo hopes to be a lawyer.

Deo was born in Kirua, Tanzania in 1994. Both of his parents died when he was 5 years old. Before he arrived at the orphanage, he was living with his grandparents in Moshi but they were unable to properly care for him. Deo was not given the opportunity to receive a proper education and often struggled to find enough food and water. Now Deo is going to secondary school. He was number 1 last semester out of 160 students in his class. Deo loves reading, playing football and is a very talented artist. Deo attends a great secondary school with Revo. Deo hopes to become a doctor!

Peter was born in the village of Mamba in 2002. He is one of our youngest boys. His parents both died of AIDS and are burried in his grandparents front yard. His grandmother used to beat him and never let him go to school because she wanted him to help feed the animals and clean. After much beating Peter ran away from home and raised himself. He used to search for food during the day and sleep alone at night in a banana field. Make A Difference enrolled him in school for the first time in 2008 with the help of a wonderful sponsor from Canada. He lives at the orphanage with his brother Joseph. Shoe Size: Size 2 Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Pink or Yellow Wish List: Sports Shoes, Black School Large Back Pack for School, Grey Knee High Socks for School, A Rubber Bouncy Ball or Tennis Balls

Elliona was born in 1999. He is quite a character. Full of jokes, laugher and hugs. You can never be bored around Elliona! Elliona had one older brother and sister but both died. The sister fell down from a tree and got a severe cut. She was taken to the hospital, but didn’t survive. The brother died in his sleep. He may have had TB. He was sick for a long time. His mother’s name was Chipi and his father was Manase. After Elliona’s mother and father died he had a aunt that took care of him. The only meal Elliona had was porridge for breakfast before the orphanage. He had one pair of trousers and a shirt. Elliona loves to dance and joke around. He is full of spirit and always smiling. He wants to be a pastor when he grows up! Shoe Size: 6 Clothing Size: Boys Small Favorite Color: Red Wish List: Big Back Pack for School, Paper for Drawing, Sports Shoes and Grey Kneee High Socks

Joseph was born in 1999 in Mamba. He has a brother who is 5 years-old named Peter that just moved into the orphanage after a home visit. We decided he would live a better life at the orphanage. His brother lived out in the banana trees alone and was starving when he got him. Joseph’s mother and father are both dead due to AIDS. After his mother died he lived with his grandparents (mother’s parents). He shared a small cot with his grandfather. His grandmother was very abusive and used to beat him him. She never let him go to school because she wanted him to feed the animals and clean. He never had much of an opportunity to go to school nor play. Joseph would like to be a pilot when he grows up! Shoe Size: 6 Clothing Size: Boys Medium Favorite Color: Red Favorite Sport: Football (soccer) Favorite Class: Math Wish List: Black School Shoes for School, Pajamas, Underwear, a rubber ball.

Subira was born in Kilototoni, Tanzania. Her mother died when she was very young and her father died before she was even born. Living at her home village was very difficult. Four people would share a bed with Subira and she normally had only one meal a day. In order to get water they would wait for rain or walk to a river. She had no shoes and just one pair of clothing. Today, Subira is a happy young lady full of smiles and laughter. She loves to lead singin with the other children at the orphanage. She aspires to be a lawyer.

Christina is a very strong and competitive girl. She loves to play sports. Her favorite subject is Math. She would like to be the president of Tanzania when she grows up! And we believe she can be. Christina was born in 1999 in Watina Tom, Kenya (Near Nairobi). She has two brothers and three sisters who are all older than her. Her siblings live in Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. Shoe size: 5 Clothing Size: Girls Small to Medium Favorite Color: Yellow Wish List: 1 Large Backpack for School, Rubber Ball, Pens

Juma was born in1999 in Kilototoni. His mother’s name is Zainab and his father’s name is Azizi Mashauri. Juma is related to Subira and Shabani from the orphanage. Subira is his cousin and Shabani is his older brother. Juma is related to Subira from his father’s side of the family. Juma would like to be a pilot when he grows up! Shoe Size: Size 5 Clothing Size: Boys Small to Medium Favorite Color: Blue Wish List: Trousers, Grey Knee High Socks for School, Paper for Drawing