Learning to be Loved: A Healing Story

On the February 18 2022, Kuda Vana welcomed three-year old Lunga* to the Kuda Vana Family.  The morning of her arrival, our Administrator Uncle Davis held a staff meeting and told us she was coming from the hospital. This sweet girl had endured a lengthy stay there after being physically abused by someone who should have cared for her. We were all ready to love her and make her feel safe.

 The children were all playing at the grounds when they heard the sound of the landcruiser, which always catches the curiosity of the kids.  They watched as it parked at House 1.  To most everyone’s surprise, out came a little girl in a Minnie Mouse inspired outfit.  Timidly, she was led to the grounds, where the other children were waiting to meet her. She looked scared and untrusting as the other children slowly began to surround her.  It was clear that she was overwhelmed by the entire situation, but the uneasiness in her eyes began to fade as her now-big sisters Ceazy and Noela took her by the hands and brought her to join the games and fun.  

The first few days at Kuda Vana are overwhelming for every child. Lunga was surrounded by love from the start, but wasn’t so sure how to handle it all.

Since then, Lunga has begun to blossom here at Kuda Vana.  The beginning was the hardest.  Having moved around from place to place and suffered from abuse, Lunga was wary of everyone’s intentions.  

“She couldn’t trust anyone,” said Mamma Martha, who is Lunga’s mother in House 1.  “When she first came, she asked me if people were going to beat her here.  Of course, we would never, and her fear made my heart so heavy.” 

Now, after realizing that she is safe, loved, and embraced, Lunga has come into her own.  She loves to play with Ceazy and Noela, she leads house worship and has learned all of the songs we sing.  She has made friends with Simbai and they play together at the playground.  She is a good eater, has learned to greet her elders, and above all else, she is happy.  Inevitably, there are days when she is clingy and needing extra attention, and that’s okay.  Both Mamma Martha and Batanai are wonderful with her, and give her the care and affection she needs. 

 “We can see her changing and trusting more every day, and it’s amazing,” says Mamma Martha.

Sweet Lunga is blossoming with love and attention from her caregivers and our staff therapist.

We are so happy that Lunga has joined our family here at Kuda Vana, and hope that with extra love, care and support from our staff therapist she can continue to blossom and thrive.

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