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Tamara’s early years were filled with confusion and pain. She had suffered sexual abuse by someone she should have been able to trust — a betrayal that broke her trust and left deep emotional scars. When her story was finally discovered, local authorities and child advocates intervened to ensure her safety. Through this partnership, Tamara was welcomed into the care of Kids Alive Zambia — a Safe Haven where love and healing could take root.
When Tamara first arrived at Kids Alive Zambia, her caregivers could see the signs of trauma no child should ever face — the kind of trauma that, if left unaddressed, is debilitating for life. Tamara cried often but couldn’t find the words to explain why. Even gentle voices made her flinch. She avoided contact, especially with adult men, her body tightening with fear at their presence. Silence became her shelter — the only way she knew to stay safe in a world that had once betrayed her.
Because of partners like you, Tamara arrived at a safe home surrounded by caregivers trained to help children rebuild trust and confidence.
“Tamara was very quiet. She didn’t want to talk to anyone,” recalls Betsy, her house mother. “We didn’t judge her, but we gave her a chance. Over time, she started to open up. She would say, ‘Mama, okay,’ if she needed something — and that was beautiful to see. You could tell God was beginning to bring something new to life inside her.”
In those early days, healing began not through words but through presence — through love that waited, through laughter that didn’t demand anything in return. Mercy, her psychotherapist, began their sessions with play, creating a safe space where Tamara could slowly rebuild trust.
“Because of her age, I approached Tamara through play,” Mercy explains. “It was the easiest way to connect. She could choose what she wanted to do, and that gave her a sense of control — something she had lost. Slowly, she began to talk, to ask questions, to show curiosity again. I wanted her to believe three things: that what happened to her was not her fault, that she is worthy of love, and that her voice matters.”
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That simple but profound truth — your voice matters — changed everything for Tamara. Through therapy, safe community, and love that reflected the heart of God, she began to find her words again. She learned that she could trust the adults around her. She learned that she was not broken. And as she began to share, joy started to return — first in quiet smiles, then in laughter, and finally in leadership.
Today, Tamara is thriving. She has become a joyful, social girl who brings light wherever she goes. At home, she helps younger children with their homework and gently reminds them of the house rules. “She’s like a team leader,” says Betsy proudly. “When the others come home from school, she’s the first to say, ‘Let’s do our homework!’ She helps the little ones and looks out for them.”
At school, Tamara is one of the most outgoing students in her class. She loves learning, playing, and connecting with others. Her friends describe her as fun, kind, and always smiling. “She’s a very bright young girl with a joyful personality,” Mercy adds. “She interacts so well with her friends and has such confidence now. She believes she is strong, beautiful, and loved by God.”
Most of all, Tamara’s understanding of who she is has been completely transformed. “She believes she’s a child of God,” Betsy says. “She believes that God loves her so much — that He sent His Son for her, too. She knows she can find help, and she’s not afraid to ask for it.”
As Tamara healed, she began to embrace truths that every child at Kids Alive learns to hold onto: that she is loved, chosen, and never alone.
Tamara’s story is one of redemption — from silence to song, from fear to freedom. What once felt impossible has become a living testimony of healing through love, consistency, and the belief that every child deserves safety and hope.
Because of the support of partners like you, Tamara has found her voice again — and it’s full of laughter, courage, and life.
