The Genesis

Open Arms Home for Children was founded by Bob and Sallie Solis of Phoenix, Arizona. After taking a family mission trip to South Africa in 2004, the Solis family felt called to do something about the plight of children orphaned by AIDS in the country.

This calling was the genesis of Open Arms and much has been accomplished by this ministry in the past two decades – thanks to the help of so many people who have joined this effort with their donations, hard work, and prayers.

After that initial trip to South Africa, the Solis family took their life savings and bought the 70-acre hilltop farm that serves as Open Arms Home today. Bob remembers sleeping on the floor on an old mattress in August of 2005—that mattress was the only furniture in the place! Very quickly, funds were raised to buy furnishings and an old car. The Department of Social Development in South Africa followed by granting a license to take in orphaned children and on March 16, 2006, a young two year-old boy named Sifundo was the first child to come to Open Arms. Every year, on March 16, we rejoice and celebrate our founding day.