During this time, the first two weeks of the month of November, 2021, I was planning to travel toTanzania to volunteer at the Rift Valley Children’s Village.

This is what happens there:

At the Rift Valley Children’s Village, (RVCV), we are giving children a second chance at childhood by offering them more than just a roof over their heads and a bed to sleep in. We provide a loving forever family and permanent home to over 100 orphaned and marginalized children in a remote corner of northern Tanzania. From the moment each child arrives at RVCV, they are safe, they are loved, they are home.

Raised to be thoughtful, ambitious, and passionate, it is our hope that when backed by the unwavering support of their family, our children will become Tanzania’s next generation of leaders. Supporting our children through every step of development until they reach fiscal independence is our responsibility.

One of our dearest friends, Peggy Bacon, has been involved with this community and school since it was founded. She has taught there, lived there, served as president of the board, and, as a board member, continues to work hard to raise funds for this amazing place. I was going to travel with Peggy and her husband, Carter. I had ordered watercolor sets, drawing pens, and wonderful paper. I had planned to work with small groups of elementary children outside to draw and paint what they could see and what we could find in the natural world around their home and school.

Had it not been for my concerns about the Delta Variant, I would have gone. Peggy and Carter did go and they will return soon. For them, it is almost like traveling to a second home. One of my greatest hopes for the future is that I will be able to go with my paints and pens, work alongside the children, and see the Tanzanian world through their eyes.

We are so impressed with what this organization has been able to accomplish and with its plans for the future.

The founder, India Howell, moved permanently to Tanzania in 1998. India recognized the growing number of orphans and at-risk children living in poverty and felt compelled to take action. In 2004, she partnered with Peter Leon Mmassy to create a loving and permanent home for 17 orphaned children. With the help of supporters and the Tanzanian community, that single house has grown to a Children’s Village for 100 children and a thriving community-based organization providing free healthcare, primary and secondary education, and Microfinance loans and training to the residents of Oldeani Ward. Today India is the legal guardian of all 101 children and she is known throughout northern Tanzania as ‘Mama India.”

In Tanzania, over 3 million children are orphaned. Nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. Many people struggle with medical care and children do not have access to the educational opportunities that they deserve. These statistics are heart-breaking. What to do in the face of such hardship?

The Rift Valley Children’s Village is committed to a holistic, community-led solution. They address the challenge of systemic poverty from all sides by providing education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and a home for children. They equip a geographic area, home to 10,000 people, with the tools and systems that it needs to realize a brighter future.

While Peggy and Carter have been working with children and teachers and helping at the Children’s Village, I have watched the leaves fly from the trees, and the geese fly south. And I have delighted in the images that Peggy has sent to me.

One of them said, “Your kids.”

We met India and Peter when we lived in St. Louis when they visited the United States to give presentations about their work and to raise funds. We have supported the Tanzanian Children’s Fund ever since by making donations every year.

Please go to the website of the Rift Valley Children’s Village and have a look. We are sure that you will be touched and inspired by the good work that is happening there in so many ways every day. Also, they are open to and actively looking for volunteers if you are able and eager to do that. Contact the coordinators of the volunteer program here.

Here’s to all the beautiful, dedicated, everyday work that honors and lifts the lives of the children and community members at the Rift Valley Children’s Village, and to the work all around the world where people with vision and commitment change lives for the better and for good.

The beautiful photographs and the map included in this post are from the Tanzanian Children’s Fund website.