Sandramu Mpinganjira

Sandramu’s mother and father both died before he was nine years old. His mother died due to complications from the HIV virus and the cause of his father’s death is unknown. He was sent, along with his seven-year-old sister, Zione, to live with an uncle. The uncle was already caring for his own children during the midst of a severe famine and although he was obligated to care for his niece and nephew, he had no desire to do so. Sandramu was severely abused by the uncle and at one point the uncle tied him to a tree for two weeks and left him to starve to death. Sandramu’s little sister would steal food and sneak it to him when she could. When Sandramu was found he was close to death from malnourishment. Sandramu came to live in one of our homes when he was ten. He is now learning to trust and is doing extremely well. He likes to play soccer and math is his favorite subject in school.