Godfrey Augustino

Godfrey Augustino left his home in Kyseni, a rural village on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, in November of 2006 because his family couldn’t afford to feed him. He walked 20 kilometers down the mountain to the town of Moshi, where he began begging for food to survive. Godfrey avoided the local police and tried to keep hidden at night, but he found life on the street terrifying and dangerous. Amani’s social workers found Godfrey in December at a local food market and invited him to come to Amani Children’s Home. Godfrey was hungry and eager to sleep in a real bed.

An Amani social worker went to the village to meet with Godfrey’s father. He was eager to have Godfrey return home, but admitted that he was unable to feed him. She learned that Godfrey’s grandmother, who also lives in the one-room house, struggles with alcoholism and that his father is an unemployed driver who feels frustrated with not being able to feed his son.

Amani’s social worker reunited Godfrey with his father in January of 2007. She began a program of family counseling and helped teach Godfrey’s father about how to care for Godfrey after his mother left them. Godfrey’s grandmother struggles to give up her dependence on alcohol, but with Amani’s help is meeting the problem head-on.

Amani’s social workers continue to make regular visits to the Augustino family home, bringing supplies of sugar, maize, rice and cooking oil. Amani also pays for Godfrey’s school expenses, something his father says he is extremely grateful for. “Amani is now part of Godfrey’s family,” says Mr. Augustino. “We are very happy for our relative’s help. It makes me feel very good to know my son can go to school. I cannot find work, but Godfrey can still grow and learn.”