Raphael O.

Name:  Raphael O.
Gender:  Boy
Reported birthdate:  August 13, 2010 (currently age 15)
Favorite color:  Red
Favorite food:  Rice and chicken
Favorite activity:  Playing football (soccer)
Favorite subject:  English
Child is happy when…  He is learning
Child wants to be a…  Medical doctor
Home information:  Raphael is growing up in the village of Bugoi in rural northeastern Uganda. He lives with his mother. His father passed away. He has 5 brothers and 3 sisters—he is the sixth born. His older brother Raboni and his younger sister Lucia are also part of Haven of Hope’s sponsorship program. Their family supports themselves by “digging”—they grow crops such as maize and beans to eat and to sell when they can. However, they struggle to meet all of their needs. Raphael helps at home by digging.
School information:  Raphael is a student at the Haven of Hope Secondary School. He is currently in S1 (senior grade 1, the first year of secondary school). In Uganda, nursery school lasts for three years and is followed by seven years of primary school and up to six years of secondary school. At school, Raphael will continue to learn and play, be taught about God, and receive meals, medical care, and clothing.
Village information:  In Bugoi, most people live in small groupings of mud huts with thatched roofs and depend on small-scale farming or gardening to feed themselves. This is often made difficult by drought, which can lead to poor harvests and famine. The Haven of Hope school is located beside a lake, where some villagers also engage in fishing. Families tend to be large, and many adults care for orphans in addition to their biological children. Disease, including HIV and AIDS, is common and has left many children without one or both of their parents. Poverty also keeps many children from attending school, as families struggle to meet their basic needs and afford school fees.
Prayer requests:  Please pray that Raphael will do well in school and complete his studies.