Birthday: Dec. 2, 1991
Age: 15
Birthplace: Puno
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: Second Year in High School
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsor: Michael & Laura Chabries Family, UT (until 07/10) and Stan & Kathy Dye, CA (until 02/09)
Background - Adriel and his 3 siblings were brought to the orphanage because their parents didn't have enough money to take care of them. Both parents have terminal illnesses. Adriel had 6 toes when he came to us, but was operated on during our Dec. Expedition and no longer needs special shoes. He is running and walking normally. He has been with us since March 2006.
Personality - Adriel is responsible, humble, hard working, caring of younger children, independent and has a happy disposition. His favorite colors are orange and green, and he is an amazingly talented artist. He loves baseball and fish, likes soccer, cooking, and is good big brother to everyone.
Dreams - Would like to be an artist or a chef.

Birthday: Unknown, 1994
Age: 13
Birthplace: Along the Inca Trail
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: Has never attended school
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: The Summerhays Family, UT (until 05/08)
Background - Almendra's mother is severely mentally handicapped. A kind woman found the mother and child along the Inca trail and was caring for them. The burden became too great and she brought the child to us. The mother is still under the care of the kind woman.
Personality - Almendra is a kind soul, very loving and also has mild mental handicaps. She is easy to get along with and kind to all the kids.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: March 13, 1992
Age: 15
Birthplace: Paruro
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 2
Home: Transferred from Colibri to Sunflower in Feb 07
PATRON Sponsor: Len & Lisa England, WA (on-going)
Team Sponsors: Barbara Booker, NC (until 07/08)
Background - Carlos was one of the boys inspirational for the book "The Sunflower". He was at Colibri and came over to the Sunflower home in January of 2007. He is a fantastic soccer player and helpful to Juan and Delia.
Personality - Quiet, reserved, but look at that great smile!
Dreams - Professional soccer player.

Birthday: April 17th
Age: 7
Birthplace:
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 2
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Brittany Smith, CA (until 12/08) and Andrew Balshaw, VA (until 11/08)
Background - Luz and Carmen are sisters. Their mother brought them to the Sunflower home and said their father had died and she needed a week to get things in order and would come back to get her girls. A week later she filled out abandonment papers saying she could no longer take care of them.
Personality - Loves to perform, sing and dance.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: Unknown
Age: Approximately 5
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 1st
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsor: Stan & Kathy Dye, CA (until 02/09) and Gary & Denise Huber, UT (until 04/08)
Background: Christofer is cousin to Ebalin and Francisco. He was brought to the Sunflower Home by his aunt who has ovarian cancer. His parents whereabouts are unknown. Was physically abused.
Personality: Had a hard time adjusting - attachment issues, but is coming along and we're seeing steady progress. He is bright and picks up new concepts quickly. Christofer loves to play and have his back scratched.
Dreams: He has no idea what the question means.

Birthday: July 30th, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace:
Parents: Mother Deceased
Grade: 2
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsor: Brook Wirtz, IN (on-going)
Background - Darwin's mother died when he was just 6 months old. With other children in the house, his father was unable to care for him and he was sent to live in an orphanage. At the age of 5, Darwin's father took him out of the orphanage, but with problems at home, Darwin lived mostly on his own in the streets until last year when the state took custody of him. Southern Cross was granted custody of Darwin on the 28th of July, just 2 days before his birthday.
Personality - Darwin is very inquisitve, bright, and full of energy. He knows his alphabet better in english than he does in Spanish!
Personality -
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: Unknown, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace: Sacred Valley
Parents: Mother deceased, father in prison
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor, Clark & Barbara Butler, UT (until 05/08)
Background - Dayana has 5 siblings, Lisbeth and Ninosca being two of them. Their father is in jail for murder and child abuse.
Personality - Dayana likes to work, study and do homework. Although she just started school when she came to us, she received honors for being first in her class this year! She is happy when she goes to church & to school, when playing, and doing homework. She likes to draw and enjoys animals. Her favorites include: red & pink, chicken & turkey and volleyball.
Dreams - Dayana wants to be a policewoman.

Birthday: June 4th
Age: 9
Birthplace: Jungle
Parents: Mother has ovarian cancer, father is dead
Grade: 2nd
Home: The Sunflower (arrived Dec. 29th, '07)
Team Sponsor: Marsha & Richard Murrow, CO (until 05/08)
Background - Ebalin used to live in the jungle where her father was an abusive alcoholic. After he died, the children and mother moved to Lima. When the mother got ovarian cancer, she came to the Sunflower hoping to find a home for her children.
Personality - Seems to be adjusting fairly well - is bright and loves the chance to go to school every day. She likes to giggle and tease.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: March 12, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace: Quince Mil
Parents: Abandoned by mother, father unknown.
Grade: 3
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsors: The Gleed Family (Lonny Gleed), UT (until 06/08)
Background - Edi came to us from an abusive situation and is a brother of Joel and Jeri. He has been with us since February 2006.
Personality - Edi has been diagnosed with asthema. He is independent, likes to do things his own way and not be told what to do. He likes to be funny. Favorites include: red and green, soccer, ice-cream and watching sunsets. Edi is soft hearted and also tough. He learned to ride a bicycle almost his first time up.
Dreams - Would like to be a Kindergarten Teacher.

Birthday: June 6th
Age: 10
Birthplace:
Parents: Mother has ovarian cancer, and father is dead
Grade: 3
Home: The Sunflower (arrived Dec. 29th, '07)
Team Sponsor: Wayne and Pamela Merrill, UT (on-going) and James & Mandalyn Gulbrandsen, UT (on-going)
Background: Francisco is brother to Ebalin. He used to live in the jungle where his father was an abusive alcoholic. After he died, the children and mother moved to Lima. When the mother got ovarian cancer, she came to the Sunflower hoping to find a home for her children.
Personality: Quiet, doesn't like to initiate participating, but overall seems to be well adjusted and is doing well. He loves hugs and to play with marbles.
Dreams:Awakening...

Birthday: June 20, 2000
Age: 7
Birthplace: Valley of Ccosnipata Patria (close to Manu jungle)
Parents: Father is dying and is an alcoholic, mother is on the streets
Grade: Never been to school
Home: The Sunflower (3/08)
PATRON sponsors: Stephen & Kori Bird, IL (on-going)
Team Sponsors: Toni Power, CA (until 04/08) and Julio Fernandez-Davila, CA (until 12/08)
Background - Gabriel and his two siblings, Sila and Wini, came to Cusco from the jungle by begging and sleeping in the streets. They were picked up by the police and taken into custody. They have come to us in poor condition & poorly treated.
Personality - Bright, eager, a bit hesitant and defensive at first, but opening up and allowing people in.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: Dec. 25, 1993
Age: 13
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Deceased
Grade: 5
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Tamara & Thomas Evans, IN (until 06/09)
Background - Hilario was at Colibri since July 06 and transferred to the Sunflower in Feb 07. His parents died at least 5 years ago and his sister didn't have enough money to keep him so he had to leave.
Personality - Sweet personality and wonderful smile. His favorite color is red and he loves the taste of baked chicken.
Dreams - He'd like to be an engineer.

Birthday: Aug. 1, 1999
Age: 8
Birthplace: Yucay
Parents: Mother is dying of T.B.
Grade: 2nd
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON sponsor: Michelle Ellenbass, WA (until 05/08)
Background - Hilda comes from a family of 5 children who live in nearby Yucay. Her other siblings will probably be coming to the Sunflower home in the near future.
Personality - Hilda enjoys reading, mandarin oranges and volleyball. She is sweet, kind and has a happy disposition.
Dreams - Hopefully we will find out soon.....

Birthday: May 14, 2002
Age: 5
Birthplace: Calca
Parents: Father is deceased, abandoned by mother
Grade: 0
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Katie & Gabbie Eklund, NY (until 8/08)
PATRON Sponsors: Dee & Tammy Olsen, CO (until 8/08)
Background - Was living with a relative who is too old to continue taking care of him.
Personality - Likes the color black. He only speaks Quechwa, but he's very observant and will pick up Spanish quickly.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: Oct. 24, 1993
Age: 13
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Deceased
Grade: 6
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Greg & Christy Anderson, IL (until 04/08) and Lynn & Claire Bailey, UT (until 12/08)
Background - Little known
Personality - Independent and nice to the other boys. Favorites include: red & blue, chicken & rice, and soccer. He LOVES Peru, and describes himself as a happy person. We totally agree!
Dreams - To become a professional soccer player.

Birthday: Unknown; 1995
Age: 12
Birthplace: Quince Mil
Parents: Abandoned by mother, father unknown.
Grade: 6
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Gary & Sharlene Miner family, UT (on-going)
Background - Joel is Edi and Yeri's older bother. The boys all have different fathers. He took care of his brothers while on the street and still watches over them. He has been with us since February 2006.
Personality - When Joel came to us he was not talkative and withdrawn. Now he describes himself as happy, funny, hard working and caring!
Dreams - Developing, wants to study English at a University

Birthday: April 27th
Age: 10
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsors: Mike & Rhonda Parson, UT (until 04/08)
Background - Luz and Carmen are sisters. Their mother brought them to the Sunflower home and said their father had died and she needed a week to get things in order and would come back to get her girls. A week later she filled out abandonment papers saying she could no longer take care of them.
Personality - Fun, bright, atriculate and confident. She loves to sing, dance, and perform mother all the children.
Dreams - Awakening...

Birthday: Unknown
Age: 6-ish
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 1st
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Kayla Cochran, UT (until 09/08)
Background: Maria is cousin to Ebalin and Francisco. She was brought to the Sunflower Home by her aunt who has ovarian cancer. Her parents whereabouts are unknown. She and Christofer are siblings, but have different fathers.
Personality: Having difficulty adjusting - attachment issues and learning disorders. Maria likes to be tickled and mother the baby dolls.
Dreams - We hope she is cognitively able to understand the question someday.

Birthday: Nov. 23, 1995
Age: 11
Birthplace: Laves
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Bruce & Marriane Bird, CA (until 12/08) and Stan & Kathy Dye, CA (until 02/09)
Background - unknown
Personality - She gets along with everyone, boys and girls. She is fun, friendly, and always has a smile on her face. Chicken is her favorite meal. Other favorites include: pink, green and red, and watching sunsets.
Dreams - She wants to study at the university to be a doctor.

Birthday: April 25, 1993
Age: 14
Birthplace: Anta
Parents: Orphan since she was 1 year old
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Ken & Carolyn Mano, CA (on-going) and Woodmen of the World Lodge 462, Chazy, NY (until 10/08)
Background - Marisol is the youngest of two brothers and sisters and was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Both parents died from alcoholism. Marisol then lived with her godfather who treated her poorly, forcing her to sleep in a dog house and taking her out of school for at least a year. Due to malnutrition, she is physically underdeveloped and has the appearance of a 7-8 year old .
Personality - Marisol likes to read, study, write, draw, paint and play volleyball. Favorites include: Volleyball, corn on the cob, yellow and green. She is sweet, helpful, a hard worker and caring.
Dreams - She wants to be a Kindergarten teacher

Birthday: May 23, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace: Juliaca
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Greg & Christy Anderson, IL (until 04/08)
PATRON Sponsors: Joseph & Cynthia McCarter, NJ (until 12/08)
Background - Mayda had an abusive father who is now in prison and she has been with us since Feb. 2006.
Personality - Mayda likes ducks, cats, dogs, butterflies, and flowers. She likes to eat apples, bananas and oranges and she likes to paint and draw. Favorites include: tic-tac-toe, watching sunsets and red & orange. She is mature, very intelligent, helpful and amazingly observant.
Dreams - Mayda wants to be a policewoman when she grows up.

Birthday: Unknown, 1994
Age: 13
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Deceased
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Leonie Cramer & Carl Reese, CO (until 12/08) and Carol Cromar, UT (on-going)
Background - Little known, but he is also one of our boys who came over from Colibri. We have been fortunate to see him grow and progress.
Personality - Cheerful, easy going and a hard worker. Favorites include: red & white, soccer, drawing & coloring, and rice.
Dreams - To be a professional soccer player

Birthday: March 12, 1996
Age: 11
Birthplace: Juliaca
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 5
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Donna Staton, FL (on-going)
Background - Mother has given Nancy and her sisters to the orphanage because she cannot care for them. She has been with us since Feb. 2006.
Personality - Nancy likes to try and be "mother" to some of the younger children, especially her little sisters Mayda and Yudy. Some favorites include: Volleyball, ice-cream, rainbows, yellow and blue. She is happy, helpful, and smart.
Dreams - Kindergarten Teacher

Birthday: Unknown, 1996
Age: 11
Birthplace: Sacred Valley, Dec. 3rd
Parents: Mother deceased, father in prison
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Jessica Regner, CO (on-going)
Background - Mother is dead and father in prison. He was abusive to the children and mother.
Personality - Ninosca likes to jump rope and play. Favorites include: pink, orange and yellow, volleyball, turkey & apples, and traveling. She is very bright and rose to the top of her academic class this year.
Dreams - Ninosca wants to be a doctor.

Birthday: Unknown
Age: 17
Birthplace: Quillabamba
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 3
Home: The Sunflower
Background - Oscar has brain damage, having endured repeated beatings in the head by his mother.
Personality - He is a sweet boy, loves to learn and tries to be helpful. Favorites include: chicken, volleyball, red & blue, and traveling.
Dreams - To be a police officer

Birthday: Sept. 28, 1998
Age: 8
Birthplace: Laves
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 2
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Natasha Hawken, CA (until 09/08)
Team Sponsors: Harvest Park Middle School, Mr. Lomas' Math Classes, CA (until 01/09)
Background - Maria and Purfita are sisters. The girls were abandoned.
Personality - Easy going, even tempered, loves tickle fights. Her favorite color is yellow, likes playing volleyball, but doesn't like vegetables. She loves rice.
Dreams - Wants to continue through High School and onto a University, but isn't sure from there.

Birthday: Unknown, 1996
Age: 11
Birthplace: Santa Ana Maras
Parents: Deceased
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Mike & Rhonda Parson, UT (until 04/08)
Background - Ronald's mother is dead and his father is dying of cancer. Brother to Ana Maria. The two of them have suffered a lot of trauma. Have never had shoes in their life and were very thin with parasites when we found them. They have since filled out and are much healthier.
Personality - Ronald likes to draw and work. His best friends are Adriel and Wilfredo. Favorites include: green & yellow, soccer, ice-cream and looking at stars. He is helpful, playful and athletic.
Dreams - Ronald wants to be a mechanic or police officer.

Birthday: Feb. 23, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace: Valley of Ccosnipata Patria (close to Manu jungle)
Parents: Father is dying and is an alcoholic, mother is on the streets
Grade: Never been to school
Home: The Sunflower (3/07)
PATRON Sponsor: Jenny Flinders, UT (on-going)
Background - Sila and her two siblings, Gabriel and Wini, came to Cusco from the jungle by begging and sleeping in the streets. They were picked up by the police and taken into custody. They have come to us in poor condition & poorly treated. Sila came to us under height and under weight.
Personality - Quiet, shy, kind, observant and bright.
Dreams - Awakening....

Birthday: Sept. 8, 1998
Age: 8
Birthplace: Calca
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsor: Mark & Rebecca Fuchs, CA (11/08)
Background - Sonia has been at Sunflower the longest of all the children and comes from an abusive home. She says she is happy in the orphanage and doesn't want to leave, it's home.
Personality - Sonia is warm, athletic, playful and outgoing. Other favorites include: soccer, ice-cream, blue & orange. She is happy, smart, caring, helpful and kind to everyone and loving.
Dreams - Kindergarten teacher

Birthday: Sept. 5, 1993
Age: 13
Birthplace: Espinar Upper Provincias of Cusco
Parents: Father died, abandoned by mother
Grade: 4
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsor: Natalie Mano, CA (ongoing)
PATRON Sponsor: Sherry Swinerton, MD (ongoing)
Background - Wilfredo was physically and emotionally abused by his parents.
Personality - Wilfredo says he likes to work more than play. He's tender hearted, very intelligent, goal oriented, positive, and extremely helpful. Favorites include: soccer, orange, and ice-cream.
Dreams - Wilfredo wants to be a doctor or policeman when he grows up (He wants to earn enough money to go to the U.S.)

Birthday: June 7, 1995
Age: 12
Birthplace: Valley of Ccosnipata Patria (close to Manu jungle)
Parents: Father is dying and is an alcoholic, mother is on the streets
Grade: Never been to school
Home: The Sunflower (3/07)
PATRON Sponsor: Dennis Wixom (until 03/09)
Background - Wini and her two siblings, Gabriel and Sila, came to Cusco from the jungle by begging and sleeping in the streets. They were picked up by the police and taken into custody. They have come to us in poor condition & poorly treated. Wini cannot read or write and came with malnutrition.
Personality - Wini's first few weeks were tough. She was not use to rules nor did she trust people. Her true personality has emerged this summer however - kind, fun, loving... great smile... warm and affectionate.
Dreams - She's getting them!

Birthday: April 9, 1996
Age: 11
Birthplace: Calca
Parents: Mother deceased, Father Abandoned
Grade: TBD
Home: The Sunflower
Sponsored by: Sallie Thawley, CA (on-going)
Team Sponsor: Shawn & Stephanie McCord Family, WA (until 07/10)
Background - Found living on the streets, taking care of his younger brother Jhoel.
Personality - Likes chicken and french fries, blue, and playing soccer....he is silly and full of smiles when he gets the chance.
Dreams - Wants to be a soccer player

Birthday: April 14th
Age: 14
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: TBD
Home: The Sunflower
PATRON Sponsors: Jose, Linda & Justin Hoard, NC (until 12/08)
Background -
Personality - Yeison loves to tease and play with all the kids, and he enjoys speaking a few phrases in English.
Dreams -

Birthday: June 10, 2001
Age: 6
Birthplace: Pto. Maldonado
Parents: Abandoned by mother, father unknown.
Grade: kindergarten
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Gary & Karen Aukema, Florida (until 02/08), Michael & Holly Thomas, CO (until 03/08), and Gillette Hall & Andrew Balshaw, VA (until Sept 08)
Background - Brother of Joel & Edi.
Personality - Yeri is extremely independent and likes to take care of himself. He likes to kick the soccer ball. Other favorites include red, ice-cream, playing the Memory game, and grass. He is a happy, funny, loving and smart little kid.
Dreams - Yeri wants to "brush his teeth, study and work with rocks" (remember, he is 6!)

Birthday: Jan. 15, 1998
Age: 9
Birthplace: Lamay, Calca. Sacred Valley
Parents: Unknown father, orphaned by his mother
Grade: 1
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Rebecca Homer, UT (until 06/08) and Highlands Presbyterian Church, NJ (until 05/08) and Michael Benjamin Family, ID (until 12/08)
Background - An attorney found him beaten by a man Yosimar was staying with. Yosimar has many dents and scars in his head from being beaten. Out of compassion, the attorney filed a suit against the man and the judge in Calca took the boy out of the home, knew of our home, and sent him to us.
Personality - Bright, appreciative and kind-hearted. He has a lot of energy. Favorites include: red & yellow, volleyball, ice-cream, and showers.
Dreams - Just emerging...but possibly a bus driver

Birthday: April 17, 2000
Age: 7
Birthplace: Juliaca
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 2
Home: The Sunflower
Team Sponsors: Yahoo Volleyball to Yuri, (until 12/08)
Team Sponsors: Scott Chambers, CA & Gary & Kaylene Chambers, NV (until 03/09)
Background - Abandoned by parents. She came to us with 6 toes, but was operated on in during our Dec. Expedition. She no longer needs special shoes and is running and walking normally. She has been with us since March 2006.
Personality - Judy likes to paint, draw, play and study. When she first came she was quiet, but now she talks up a storm and is a bundle of energy. She is happy, silly, fun and a joy. Favorites include: blue & orange, soccer, ice-cream and her new bed.
Dreams - School Principal

Age: 13
Birthplace: Santa Ana Maras
Parents: Deceased
Grade: Starting High School
PLACED

Age: 8
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned
Grade: 2
PLACED

Age: 10
Birthplace: Yucay
Parents: Mother killed, father at large
Grade: 2
PLACED

Age: 6
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Unknown
Grade: 1
PLACED

Age: 17
Birthplace: Urubamba
Parents: Mother is institutionalized and father abandoned them
Grade: 0
PLACED

Birthday March 17, 1992; Age 15
Birthplace: Cusco
Parents: Mother in Cusco, father deceased
Grade: Never been to school
PLACED

Age: 3
Birthplace: Urubamba
Parents: Mother is institutionalized and father abandoned them
Grade: 0
PLACED

Age: 14
Birthplace: Urubamba, July 20th
Parents: Mother is institutionalized and father abandoned them
Grade: 6
PLACED

Age: 12
Birthplace: Yucay
Parents: Mother killed, father at large
Grade: 4, excellent marks
PLACED

Age: 13
Birthplace: Yucay
Parents: Mother killed, father at large
Grade: 2
PLACED

Age: 2
Birthplace: Urubamba
Parents: Mother is institutionalized and father abandoned them
Grade: 0
PLACED

Age: 9
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Brother of Sonia, Father is deceased, Mother gave them up
Grade: 3
PLACED

Birthday unknown, 2000; Age 7
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Abandoned by both
Grade: Kindergarten
PLACED

Age: 14 (although this is unknown as well)
Birthplace: Unknown, choose Dec. 15th
Parents: Unknown
Grade: First year in High School
PLACED

Age: 13
Birthplace: Unknown
Parents: Sibling of Bryan... father is dead, mom abandoned them.
Grade: Entering High School
PLACED

Age: 10
Birthplace: Urubamba, July 20th
Parents: Mother is institutionalized and father abandoned them
Grade: 5
PLACED