Sending Orphaned Children Home

Did you know, during 2019, we intentionally sent 29 children from The Well back home?! 

Many of them transitioned to their guardians naturally, as they progressed to the Oasis High School or College Scholarship Program. 

Others, have stories...

M & T have lived at The Well (formerly House of Hope) for 10 and 11 years respectively. Both were abandoned, too young to verbalize their story, and no one was found in the extensive searches for a parent.

Over the years, these two, along with all  The Well children, have attended the local church.  The church community has consistently welcomed The Well children and knows each child personally.

Early last year, when Oasis was getting to know the guardians, two families from the church showed up. They had heard Oasis was committed to keeping orphaned children with their guardians, if at all possible, and they wanted in! One family asked if M could join their family and the other asked if T could join theirs.

Through a series of home visits, meetings with the children's officer, and counseling for the families and children, we transitioned these children into loving, forever families.  Oasis continues to support the children by providing for their educational needs as well as with regular visits from the social worker. And the families take care of the daily needs of the children.  In these situations, it's been a WIN WIN!

Mama P has two boys who have been living at the children's home for the last 7 years. When I visited her home last January to meet her for the first time, I found she had two additional children at home. She was jobless and the younger two had not yet had the opportunity to attend school.  We began our journey together.

Right away, we talked to her about bringing the boys home. She was not keen on this idea because feeding two was already overwhelming.

But, we took baby steps. The younger two joined the boys in school at The Well. This freed mom up to start developing a jewelry-making skill. We also hired her at The Well once per week.  She, among other single moms, are paid to work at The Well one day a week. This gives them time to participate in weekly counseling and helps relieve our huge laundry pile!

In November, we worked together with Mama P to move her closer to The Well, and the boys transitioned home. It's not been easy. Their house is crowded. The boys have to step outside when the girls change clothes and vice versa. Sometimes, if mom can't find a job for the day, the evening meal is small.

BUT, Mama P is doing it and we're so proud of her! She and her children are together, as a family should be - caring for each other and also stepping on each other's toes.

The pictures here are some of families we're partnering with in the Oasis guardian program. Each have experienced profound loss and trauma, but they have survived, they are standing, and they have hope. We're working on healing and growing together. 

We are committed to walking the challenging road of keeping kids at home wherever possible and working to grow entire families.  At the same time, we're committed to providing a safe home for children who can't be with their guardians right now.