Elisha Vehaeli

Elisha, 12, lived with his parents in the Hai district of Kilimanjaro in a small village called Sanya Juu. He left his home to take his chances on the streets because of the difficult relationship he had with his father.

Elisha lived on the streets for 3 years. He told Amani’s social workers that he found it difficult to find food, but that a local police officer sometimes gave him bread and fruit.

Amani’s social workers worked closely with Elisha’s parents and grandmother while he lived at Amani, providing them with counseling and support in the hopes that Elisha would return home. In August of 2009 Elisha moved in with his grandmother and is going to a local primary school. Elisha’s grandmother is glad to have him living at home again. Amani’s social workers continue to follow up with Elisha on a regular basis.