Shafi Athumani

Shafi, 13, comes from Galapo village between Lake Manyara and Arusha. He was living with his brother and his sister-in-law while he was attending school. His sister-in-law regularly beat him and so he left to live on the streets.

For the three days that he lived on the streets Shafi experienced regular beatings by other homeless people. One of Amani’s Street Educators met Shafi at the Arusha bus station and told him to come to Amani.

Amani’s social workers located Shafi’s mother and father in May 2009 and began working with the family to see if a reunification was possible. It was agreed that Shafi should not return to live with his brother and sister-in-law. A boarding school was found nearby Shafi’s parents home and Amani has agreed to pay the school fees.

Shafi says he will work hard to finish school and become a minister when he grows up.