Building families, one happy ending at a time

Kuda Vana is committed to building families - both for the children who live on our campus permanently, and for those who may have the opportunity to join traditional families through fostering, adoption or family reunification. Our staff psychologist, Jotinah Vambire, helps organize our FAMily program (Foster Adopt Mentor). Recently, she has been involved in the safe reunification of several children with biological family members. 

Our staff psychologist spends time building trust with each child on our campus. She and our team are also always looking for ways to safely reunited children with their biological families when possible.

Many of the children who were brought to Kuda Vana from Social Services have incomplete records, and as a result may have biological family that could care for them if given the opportunity. Thus, Jotinah and our team have set out to do some old-fashioned sleuthing, which has already been successful! In fact, we have six children who are in the process of being reunited with biological family by the end of the year.

As an example, Jotinah recently connected with the aunt of 8-year-old Mercy*, a little girl who came to Kuda Vana in 2017 when the children’s home she was at shut down. Mercy is a cheerful and affectionate little girl who loves school and learns quickly. She likes to read and is a polite child who asks permission before leaving her home, or if there is anything in the home she might want to use. She is always ready for a hug and a cuddle and has a sweet, shy smile. Mercy has become a good little leader in her home and at school. She loves to lead out in family worship each evening. As happy as she is at Kuda Vana, we know it is almost always best for a child to be with family.

Thus, over the past few months Jotinah has spent time talking to Mercy’s aunt, who was overjoyed at finding out Mercy’s whereabouts. She had not known what had become of her sister’s little girl so many years ago. Mercy’s aunt would like to take responsibility for her, and our team is beginning the reunification process. This will begin with a thorough assessment of the environment, and interviews with our staff and Social Services.

Mercy will be able to begin visiting her aunt for holiday breaks, until the time is deemed right for the transition to take place. Jotinah and our team will provide ongoing counseling to both Mercy and her aunt in preparation for the transition, and also make follow-up visits to ensure Mercy is doing well. 

Your support helps make this kind of happy ending possible! 

*Kuda Vana does not use the real names of the children in our care