Founders: Ray and Melody Schumacher,  Canby, Oregon

Sonshine Ministries International works to change the future for abandoned and orphaned children in Tanzania, East Africa. Poverty and disease have created confusion and turmoil for many families; the extended and foster family systems have been overwhelmed. With a population of nearly 38 million people, Tanzania has a swelling population of over 1.5 million orphans. Nearly 22% of Tanzanian children under the age of 15 have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS; this number is expected to increase to 2 million in the next 5 years.

Sonshine Ministries cares for children who come from desperate situations; many living on the streets with little to eat. Each child has a unique story but they all have the same theme; mistreatment and neglect, living in misery and hopelessness.

Sonshine Ministries is working to change all that. We are committed to transforming the future for these children by ministering to the whole child, physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally; body, soul, spirit and mind.

Another factor that makes Sonshine Village unique is our goal to create a children’s’ village and school campuses that are completely self-sufficient. Investment in education, infrastructure and micro-business ventures will produce enough revenue to sustain the village long-term, allowing them to be financially independent.

The benefits of self-sufficiency are many. Micro-enterprise businesses will not only produce revenue for Sonshine Village but it will also provide employment to men and women from the surrounding community. Instead of relying on charity; students, workers and leaders will be empowered to create wealth and improve their communities. Future micro-enterprise businesses envisioned for our village include community tuition at Sonshine schools, auto repair, newspaper & radio, posho mill (grain mill), sewing & tailoring, agriculture, carpentry, computer skills, tourism and safari guide training.

Missionary: Gary Strudler

A LEGACY WORTHY OF INVESTMENT::

There are approximately 2.2 billion children worldwide. Half of the world’s population of children is in poverty—victims of war, natural disasters, injustice, and economic stress. This lack of safety burdens a child with fear and physical and emotional trauma, stunting a child’s ability to learn and grow in confidence. They feel hopelessly trapped within their socioeconomic boundaries, without vision for the future.

FIELDS AWAITING SEEDS:

If you can reach a child when he is young, you can impact him for life. Over 80% of Christians make decisions for Christ before the age of 14. A child who knows they are loved is far less likely to experience social dysfunctions or become involved in criminal activity later in life. Imagine the lifelong comfort of a child knowing the love of the Savior. Kids Around the World is dedicated to impacting the one. One transformed child has the potential to positively change their nation.

In the next decade or two, these children will become political leaders, teachers, law enforcement, or parents. It’s critical to shape them in those early years. Investing in them is investing in the future caretakers of this planet. By providing kids with safe places to explore and healthy meals, we are directly sowing into our future.