Barikiael Emanuel is the oldest child living at St. Lucia. He’s a smart boy who does well in school. Bariki came to St. Lucia after his parents died even though he has a grandfather still living. Because he is HIV positive, he requires more care than his grandfather can give him.

Cecelia came to St. Lucia one month after her mother died. That month was spent in a hospital because she was so sick. At one point, the doctors only gave her 24 hours to live. In what some would call a miracle, the next day she was sitting up in bed.

Ashura Rashidi Komba – Connie – came to live at St. Lucia when she was a year old. Even though both her parents have dies from AIDS, she has a new family at St. Lucia. The children make sure she is the first to be fed and they all comfort her when she’s upset. Of all the children, she has really taken to Joquiem and pushes him around in his walker. In fact, he’ll only let “her” push him. She tested HIV positive at birth, but she’ll be tested again when she’s four or five years old. Sometimes kids will test negative at that age.

David James loves to play soccer and really loves the new basketball hoop at the house. Living at St. Lucia has kept him healthy despite being HIV positive. He and his brothers Sandy and Aaron were orphaned when their parents dies of AIDS.

Gertrude Joel is, unfortunately, like so many of the other children at St. Lucia – HIV positive and orphaned when her parents died of AIDS. She’s such a smart little girl with a smile that positively radiates.

When Joakim was brought to St. Lucia in May 2007 he was extremely malnourished. Three years old at the time and HIV positive, Joakim weighed only 17 pounds. He couldn’t walk, didn’t respond to being touched or held, and he never smiled. Since then, the good nutrition, medicine and love he’s received from St. Lucia have helped him tremendously.

When St. Lucia celebrated the grand opening of its new building, Hadija led the other children in singing songs for the First Lady of Tanzania. She gets good grades in school and loves to give hugs.

Hilda Marandu has lived at St. Lucia since she was four years old. There are times when Hilda will look up at you and just start giggling. She’s HIV positive and both of her parents died of AIDS. She was living with her grandmother, but Hilda required more care than she could provide. Since arriving at St. Lucia she’s been in good health.

Jackline Rashida is a determined little girl with a heart of gold. Even though she has to go to the hospital every two weeks to be tested for the AIDS virus, she is more concerned with the well-being of the other children at St. Lucia. Unfortunately, we don’t know anything about Jackie’s family. She was left at St. Lucia’s door almost three years ago.

James Mosha is one of the older children at St. Lucia. Often, and with great ease, he steps into the role of leader for the other kids. He’s a sweet boy who is quickly becoming a young man. Even though James has had tuberculosis three times and has a hard time breathing with his scarred lungs, he and Bariki are hoping to one day get their own bicycles.

Mercy Kundaeli is an amazing little girl with sweet disposition and a real love for learning. Last year, she received the highest test scores in her class making her eligible for free tuition from St. Jude. One of the best schools in Arusha, St. Jude provides its students with a library and computers, and they only speak English. Mercy came to St. Lucia from Good Hope Orphanage after she tested positive for HIV.

Mohammed Ramadhani – Moody – and his sister Tausi came to St. Lucia on Christmas Eve 2006 after being orphaned. He is HIV positive. All boy, he loves to play in puddles and play soccer. He is soooo cute and has a really great smile. His laugh will warm your heart.

Hussemi Muksin can to St. Lucia after his parents died of AIDS. Because he’s HIV positive, his extended family abused him and didn’t want him for fear he would infect the other children. Through it all, though, he has remained a very happy and strong-willed boy. He’s a bit of a jokester, loves the other children at St. Lucia, and likes to wink at people

Nasima Jumanne is a quiet little girl who loves to play with Moody and Hilda. She is HIV positive and lived with her grandmother after her mother died of AIDS.

Penina, despite being HIV positive, was very healthy until chicken pox spread through the orphanage. Unable to fight off this secondary infection, she died on January 28, 2007. Mercy says that she and Merisalena, who died the same week, are now playing together in heaven

Rajabu Seleman loves to play soccer with James, Bariki, and David. He loves to put things together like Legos and makes cars out of scrap material he finds. Rajabu has some learning disabilities and can’t spell his name. In addition, he’s HIV positive and was orphaned several years ago. Through it all, though, he has remained a kind and gentle soul.

Rosie was the first child admitted to St. Lucia December 2004, after her mother died in the hospice at St. Lucia. At first, her family didn’t want her because she is HIV positive. Fortunately, a year later her family changed their minds and took Rosie home to care for her.

Tausi Rama Ramadhani and her brother Moody came to St. Lucia on Christmas Eve 2006. She attends a nursery school called Hope and has stayed healthy due to the care given at St. Lucia. She giggles and will run up and jump on you the minute you walk in the door