The road to opening the orphanage began a decade ago when Sam Childers came to Sudan to aid in removing land mines from the area. The former biker saw for the first time the devastation that the unstable political environment had produced; an unimaginable epidemic of torture, murder, disease, and starvation. After a series of trips back to Sudan, Sam’s determination and drive to do something to help the children of East Africa was solidified.

    As he learned more about the history of the country and the rebellion against the struggling Sudanese government, Sam heard the horrific stories of the untold number of children that the rebel leader and his LRA soldiers had abducted to be child combatants. His heart broke yet again for the other children whose innocence was stolen when the LRA killed their loved ones, leaving them to them to fend for themselves against the merciless African elements.

    The orphanage began quite literally as a mosquito net hanging from a tree. Private donations made it possible for Sam to buy 40 acres in South Sudan. He soon began building small mud huts called tukols and hired the armed soldiers to defend the orphanage against rebels should the need arise. The first rescue mission brought more than 20 children to the base.

    As the numbers grew, so did the structures and building projects. The property now boasts dormitories, lavatories, a basic medical clinic, a workshop, a library and a small farm. One of the most important strides at the property came in December 2006 when Sam and the staff built the first playground in South Sudan.

    “After we put in the playground we saw some of the children smile and laugh for the first time. Even the guards took a turn and played on it,” Sam recalls. “After that, the children suffered less from their nightmares. The screaming in the middle of the night suddenly stopped.”

    The playground has become one of the most tangible aspects of the operating philosophy to let them be children again, a primary objective at the orphanage. In order to continue this legacy, the staff is hard at work on a nursery school and a soccer team that competes within the area-wide league.

    Over the years Sam and his staff, many of whom are widows and orphans themselves, have helped rescue over 800 children. Plans are continually in the works to locate and rescue more children. Angels of East Africa will continue operating in order to rescue, restore and enable children of the region who are not able to protect themselves.