A New Year and a New Start: A Reunification Story

While Kuda Vana has never been your “typical orphanage” we continue to work hard to make radical positive changes for the children in our care. This is why we have made a concerted effort to begin responsibly reunifying children with biological family when possible. Stats show that in most areas, 80% of children in orphanages actually have family who could and would care for them if given support. We are on a mission to make more of that happen. Gigi’s* story is one example.

Gigi has been at Kuda Vana since she was an infant. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father was not able to care for a baby girl alone. Social Services brought Gigi to us, and gave us very little information.

Gigi has been love by the Kuda Vana family since she was a baby. Now she is nine years old, and we are so happy that she has been reunited with her biological family!

Gigi is now a bright nine-year-old and is a quiet, sensitive girl who almost always has a big smile on her face. She loves school, and especially enjoys reading. Gigi is very responsible and enjoys helping her Mama prepare meals and care for the younger ones in her home. She has been a joy to have in the Kuda Vana Family.

 Gigi has always known about her father, and that he had always said when he was able to care for her, he wanted her to come and live with him.  She has always looked forward to the day he might come for her. Unfortunately, it had been several years since anyone at Kuda Vana had heard from Gigi’s father, and his whereabouts were now unknown.

In 2021, Kuda Vana’s administration began to do further checking into Gigi’s past and noticed that there was a relatives name in her file.  Our staff psychologist was able to locate her and discovered that this individual had cared for Gigi when she was born. She also learned that Gigi’s father has sadly passed away. It is unfortunate that this information was not communicated to us by Social Services, but we were thankful to be able to find more information on Gigi’s family. 

Gigi is a sweet, smart girl who loves school. She will be attending a good school near her family’s home. Kuda Vana will continue to support her schooling as she grows.

Gigi’s relative was deeply emotional when she learned Gigi’s whereabouts, and even though it was challenging, she managed to visit her at Kuda Vana this past summer.  Gigi was so thrilled to have a relative visit, and was told that she reminded her of the mother Gigi never knew.

Arrangements were made for Gigi to begin spending more time with her extended family, and our staff counselor worked with them as they began a relationship and ensured it was a safe environment. Gigi spent two school holidays with her “Aunt” and her family, and things went incredibly well. It is almost always best for children to be raised in families, and although there was some sadness there was so much joy as Gigi was invited to go home with her family forever! Gigi left Kuda Vana last week to go home, where we know she will continue to thrive and be loved. We are all so pleased at this beautiful development, and look forward to staying in touch with Gigi and her family as she grows.

Kuda Vana is committed to ensuring each child has a good education, and because Gigi is a very bright girl and does so well in her studies, Kuda Vana will help her family financially with her schooling. A very good school has been selected and Gigi will be attending beginning this month.

 Your financial support helps ensure we can keep our promise that the children in our care will not just survive but thrive, be it with us or in the care of a forever family. Thank you for helping make this important reunion possible! 

*To protect privacy, Kuda Vana never uses the real names of children in our care