Our Story
I came from a family of eight children—four boys and four girls. My dad was a carpenter, and my 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 were 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. We had no electricity, no water, a mud floor, no beds for the kids, an outside toilet, and a small outside kitchen. Things like clothing and shoes were not that important. I can remember so many days when we only had one meal a day.
Primary school was free, but getting uniforms, school books, and shoes was impossible.
But we had one thing—we were full of hope.
Every night my mom would gather us together to pray. She told us that no matter what, we had to love each other, share the little bit we had, and have faith.
Our life was a struggle. No matter how hard my mom and dad worked, their earnings were 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. We had no electricity, no water, a mud floor, no beds for the kids, an outside toilet, and a small outside kitchen. Things like clothing and shoes were not that important. I can remember so many days when we only had one meal a day.
Primary school was free, but getting uniforms, school books, and shoes was impossible.
But we had one thing—we were full of hope.
Every night my mom would gather us together to pray. She told us that no matter what, we had to love each other, share the little bit we had, and have faith.
A Miracle That Changed My Life
When the time came for me to go to secondary school (middle school and high school), there was no way I could. My mom and dad were already struggling to pay for my three older siblings to continue their education.
Then something happened that I still see as a miracle.
I was rescued by a missionary priest, Fr. Basil O.S.B., who was working at Peramiho Abbey in Songea, Tanzania. He offered to send me to a very good secondary school. He said he would pay for everything and even give me a little pocket money. I ended up giving that pocket money to my mom to help with my younger siblings’ school fees. Fr. Basil told me he would pray for me and bless me every time I saw him.
When I finished high school, another miracle happened. This time I was sent to college in London by an Italian lady, Anna Maria Chiovenda. I was there from 1995 to 1998.
Then something happened that I still see as a miracle.
I was rescued by a missionary priest, Fr. Basil O.S.B., who was working at Peramiho Abbey in Songea, Tanzania. He offered to send me to a very good secondary school. He said he would pay for everything and even give me a little pocket money. I ended up giving that pocket money to my mom to help with my younger siblings’ school fees. Fr. Basil told me he would pray for me and bless me every time I saw him.
When I finished high school, another miracle happened. This time I was sent to college in London by an Italian lady, Anna Maria Chiovenda. I was there from 1995 to 1998.
Coming Home and Seeing the Need
When I returned home from college, I was shocked to see the number of children living on the streets. Many were suffering from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. So many children had been left alone, wandering with no one to care for them.
I could not just walk past these children and pretend I did not see them.
I knew I had no resources, but I wanted to love them, give them hope, and at least provide them with one meal.
I could not just walk past these children and pretend I did not see them.
I knew I had no resources, but I wanted to love them, give them hope, and at least provide them with one meal.
The Beginning of STOF
In 2001, I started the orphanage with only six children.
Soon after, friends visited from Minnesota, and each of them became sponsors. They began spreading the word about STOF. St. Thomas Apostle Church of Minnesota, Avon Community Church of Minnesota, Armstrong High School, and many other individual sponsors became involved.
A dream started coming true.
From the six children rescued when I started in 2001, STOF has now grown to support over 600 orphans and vulnerable children through the years. This has only been possible because of so many people working together as a team.
Soon after, friends visited from Minnesota, and each of them became sponsors. They began spreading the word about STOF. St. Thomas Apostle Church of Minnesota, Avon Community Church of Minnesota, Armstrong High School, and many other individual sponsors became involved.
A dream started coming true.
From the six children rescued when I started in 2001, STOF has now grown to support over 600 orphans and vulnerable children through the years. This has only been possible because of so many people working together as a team.
With Gratitude
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. I especially want to thank:
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 O.S.B., may he rest in peace, not only rescued me, but helped make it possible for hundreds of children to be rescued too—and even more will be rescued in the future.
Anna Maria Chiovenda, who helped me go to college, truly loves me. I can only say her mission is completed, and I love her just like my mom.
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 O.S.B., may he rest in peace, not only rescued me, but helped make it possible for hundreds of children to be rescued too—and even more will be rescued in the future.
Anna Maria Chiovenda, who helped me go to college, truly loves me. I can only say her mission is completed, and I love her just like my mom.
God's Work Continues
Today, God is not only using the people I mentioned above, but also my husband, my family, individual sponsors, and so many others who continue to join this mission to rescue more children.
God is real, and God loves these children.
Fr. Basil, who prayed for me and blessed me, has now gone to be with the Lord. But now we have Fr. George Kinney, who continues to look over us also.
God is real, and God loves these children.
Fr. Basil, who prayed for me and blessed me, has now gone to be with the Lord. But now we have Fr. George Kinney, who continues to look over us also.
© 2026 St. Teresa Orphans Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
St. Teresa Orphans Foundation (STOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 26-4013315
Donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.
St. Teresa Orphans Foundation (STOF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 26-4013315
Donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.