John & Milka's Story

My wife, Milka, and I (from Kenya) have been taking care of orphaned and vulnerable children in Tanzania for over 16 years as caregivers in a children's home. We have raised 12 children in this way. One day, a six month old baby was placed under our care by social welfare, a baby girl who had been found alone. She was sick and malnourished and just looking for a place where she could call home and people who loved her whom she could call parents, and we became her caregivers, and our house became her home.

This child has been a blessing to us since joining our family. At the time that she came, we did not have any biological children. It wasn't until after she came to us that the Lord answered the prayer that we had been waiting for for 18 years, and our first baby was born, also a girl. But the two of them have grown up together, and you can't distinguish who is biological and who is not. This child has been a true daughter to us, and we count her as a gift from the Lord.

After two years of looking for her biological relatives without success, we decided to start the process of adopting her. We started by writing to the government at the local level and then the regional level. The process has been difficult and expensive, but now we are in the "final stage" where our case needs to go to the high court. She is now 6 years old, and we hope her adoption can be finalized this year.

We have decided to ask for you to join hands with us in the remaining stage which involves the high court case, hiring lawyers, and traveling back and forth to Kenya. For us on our own, it is too expensive. The prospective total is $2,460, with the breakdown as follows:

Tanzania High Court Fee $800

Hiring a Lawyer $600

Social Welfare Fees $160

Kenya Children's Court $500

Transport to Kenya & Back for the 3 of Us $400

Would you consider helping us in our dream and goal to adopt this child? Anything will be appreciated. May the Almighty Lord bless you as you consider this request.

Thank you,

John and Milka Mbugua