How it All Began......Our Story!
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St. Teresa Orphans Foundation (STOF)
was founded by Teresa Nyirenda Litchy in 2001 Here is how she tells her story......
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“ I came from a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. My dad was a carpenter and mom stayed home with us working our little farm and growing food for the family. Our life was a struggle. No matter how hard my mom and dad worked, their earnings was very little to support such a big family. I grew up with very little, just enough to survive. Our house had only three small bedrooms, no electricity, no water, mud floor, no beds for the kids, outside toilet and an outside little kitchen. Things like clothing and shoes were not that important, as I can remember so many days just having one meal a day. Attending primary school was free then, but getting things like uniforms, school books and shoes was just impossible. We had one thing though, we were full of hope as every night my mom would get us all together to pray. She told us that no matter what, we have to love each other, share the little bit we have and have faith.
The time came for me to go to secondary school, (middle school and high school), but there was no way I could, as my mom and dad were really struggling to get enough money to continue schooling for my three siblings who were older than I was. It just happened, I was rescued by a missionary priest, Fr. Basil O.S.B, who was working in Peramiho Abbey, Songea Tanzania. It happen just like a miracle for me. He offered to send me to a very good secondary school and said he would pay for everything and give me a little pocket money also. I ended up giving the pocket money to my mom to help with my younger siblings school fees. Fr. Basil said he would also pray and bless me every time I see him. When I finished my high school, another miracle happen to me! This time I was sent to college in London by a Italian Lady, Anna Maria Chiovenda. I was there from 1995 to 1998.
When I returned home from college, I was shocked to see the number of children on the street with HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases which has left so many children wandering the streets by themselves. I could not just walk pass these children and pretend that I did not see them. I knew had no resources, but I wanted just to love them, give them hope and at least provide them with one meal.
I started the orphanage in 2001 with only 6 children, but friends visited from Minnesota and each of them became sponsors and spread a the word about STOF. These friends helped spread the word and ST. Thomas Apostle church of Minnesota, Avon community church of Minnesota, Armstrong High School and other individual sponsors got involved. A dream started coming true! From 6 children rescued when I started in 2001, to 343 orphans and vulnerable children reached until end of January 2017, with all of us working together as a team.
My thanks and prayers will always go to all the friends and families who did not keep quiet or walk away after seeing these children. Ms. Rebecca Wawra, Mr. Roger Litchy, MS Jodie Litchy, Mr Jeremy Litchy,Ms. Agnes Schindler,Ms.Jenifer Majeski,Ms. Cynthia Majeski, Ms Lora Haider, Ms. Mary Wawra, Ms Sarah Litchy, Ms Amanda Bergner, Mr.Ron and Ms. Val Flint, Mr.Jim and Ms.Lill Wawra, Mr. Mike Reger, Mr. Rick Meier, Ms Renee Marie Robertson, Ms. Anjarie Graham, Mr.John and Ms.Britney Wawra, Ms. yvonne Litchy, and Mr. Bill Fharney. Fr, Basil OSB, may he rest in peace, has not only rescued me, but 343 children and even more will be rescued in the future. Ann Maria Chiovenda, who helped me go to college, truly loves me! I can only say that her mission is completed and I love her just like my mom.
Today God is not only using the above people I mentioned, but also my husband, my family, individual sponsors, families and so many more will join to rescue more children in the future. God is real and loves these children! Fr. Basil, who prayed and blessed me every day, has now died and gone to be with the Lord and now we have Fr. George Kinney who looks over us also."
The time came for me to go to secondary school, (middle school and high school), but there was no way I could, as my mom and dad were really struggling to get enough money to continue schooling for my three siblings who were older than I was. It just happened, I was rescued by a missionary priest, Fr. Basil O.S.B, who was working in Peramiho Abbey, Songea Tanzania. It happen just like a miracle for me. He offered to send me to a very good secondary school and said he would pay for everything and give me a little pocket money also. I ended up giving the pocket money to my mom to help with my younger siblings school fees. Fr. Basil said he would also pray and bless me every time I see him. When I finished my high school, another miracle happen to me! This time I was sent to college in London by a Italian Lady, Anna Maria Chiovenda. I was there from 1995 to 1998.
When I returned home from college, I was shocked to see the number of children on the street with HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases which has left so many children wandering the streets by themselves. I could not just walk pass these children and pretend that I did not see them. I knew had no resources, but I wanted just to love them, give them hope and at least provide them with one meal.
I started the orphanage in 2001 with only 6 children, but friends visited from Minnesota and each of them became sponsors and spread a the word about STOF. These friends helped spread the word and ST. Thomas Apostle church of Minnesota, Avon community church of Minnesota, Armstrong High School and other individual sponsors got involved. A dream started coming true! From 6 children rescued when I started in 2001, to 343 orphans and vulnerable children reached until end of January 2017, with all of us working together as a team.
My thanks and prayers will always go to all the friends and families who did not keep quiet or walk away after seeing these children. Ms. Rebecca Wawra, Mr. Roger Litchy, MS Jodie Litchy, Mr Jeremy Litchy,Ms. Agnes Schindler,Ms.Jenifer Majeski,Ms. Cynthia Majeski, Ms Lora Haider, Ms. Mary Wawra, Ms Sarah Litchy, Ms Amanda Bergner, Mr.Ron and Ms. Val Flint, Mr.Jim and Ms.Lill Wawra, Mr. Mike Reger, Mr. Rick Meier, Ms Renee Marie Robertson, Ms. Anjarie Graham, Mr.John and Ms.Britney Wawra, Ms. yvonne Litchy, and Mr. Bill Fharney. Fr, Basil OSB, may he rest in peace, has not only rescued me, but 343 children and even more will be rescued in the future. Ann Maria Chiovenda, who helped me go to college, truly loves me! I can only say that her mission is completed and I love her just like my mom.
Today God is not only using the above people I mentioned, but also my husband, my family, individual sponsors, families and so many more will join to rescue more children in the future. God is real and loves these children! Fr. Basil, who prayed and blessed me every day, has now died and gone to be with the Lord and now we have Fr. George Kinney who looks over us also."
STOF MISSION
STOF's MISSION IS TO RESCUE ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN FROM CHILD ABUSE, CHILD LABOR, HOMELESSNESS, CHILD TRAFFICKING, DRUG ABUSE, CRIME, PROSTITUTION, EARLY PREGNANCY
AND PREMATURE DEATH, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A SAFE HOME, LOVE,
AND ALL THIER IMPORTANT NEEDS AND SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL.
STOF's MISSION IS TO RESCUE ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN FROM CHILD ABUSE, CHILD LABOR, HOMELESSNESS, CHILD TRAFFICKING, DRUG ABUSE, CRIME, PROSTITUTION, EARLY PREGNANCY
AND PREMATURE DEATH, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A SAFE HOME, LOVE,
AND ALL THIER IMPORTANT NEEDS AND SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL.