Open Arms Home took in its first resident on March 16, 2006. Since that time, seven more children have come to make their home at Open Arms. We currently have two girls (ages 5 years and 14 months), and six boys (ages 9 years, 2 years, 2 years, 2 years, 10 months and one month). It is a blessing to have such life, laughter and love at the Home!

Thanks to a positive response to our first fundraising letter, we are now in a position to make several capital improvements to the Home. These include renovating our three-bedroom cottage, buying a reliable used van, renovating our septic system, installing a reliable water supply and making plans for an extensive playground. We are grateful beyond words to our donors for helping us expnad our ministry!

Our co-founders, Bob and Sallie Solis, received a Presidential Service Award from President George W. Bush. The award was presented in Phoenix in October at a sold-out concert of Christian music star Michael W. Smith, the national co-chair of the President’s Council on Volunteerism. Announcing the award on stage, Smith said that “your efforts to help AIDS orphans in South Africa represent the very best that America has to offer, and on behalf of the President of the United States, we salute your efforts to make a positve difference for orphaned children in Africa.”