Vincent Thlemu, our very first student teacher, is a remarkable example of the importance of this program. With his accommodation, meals, and medical care covered by TCF, Vincent was able to volunteer at Gyetighi Primary School (GPS) helping teach Standard 2 English.

Last month, we had the pleasure of celebrating Shedrack John's third birthday. Sheddy, as we affectionately call him, is one of the youngest members of our family at the Rift Valley Children's Village whose contagious giggle and energetic personality can light up any room.

Every morning at 8:30 am, the sound of giggles and the pitter-patter of little feet can be heard gathering at the library steps of the Rift Valley Children’s Village (RVCV). Danny Joseph, now three-and-a-half years old and full of personality, often comes barreling down the path with a smile that lights up the world.

As we look back on the past year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every member of our extended TCF family who helped make our work possible! We have achieved so much together and are proud of the meaningful progress we have made.

While so much has changed since we opened our doors in 2003, there is one core principle that has guided us through every obstacle and achievement: children first, last, and forever.

At 3 years old, Marietha Simon is bright, curious, charismatic, and always eager to tell you about her latest adventure. Before the expansion of our Education Program, Marietha’s educational future would have lacked critical resources, classrooms, teachers, and books.

From a young age, Khadija Salim knew she wanted to be a cardiovascular surgeon. Her fascination with medicine began in primary school during an anatomy lesson. Khadija would spend hours studying how the human body functions and was eager to tell everyone about the importance of a healthy heart!

This March, we welcomed two-year-old Brightness John, our 113th child, into our forever family. Upon her arrival at the Rift Valley Children’s Village (RVCV), there was a tangible sense of joy and excitement as everyone gathered eagerly to meet their new baby sister. Now, after only a few months, it is clear that Brightness feels right at home.

In 2022, we joyfully welcomed 11 new children to our Rift Valley Children’s Village family. Every time a child joins our family, we embark on a unique journey of supporting them through their adjustment to their new home, introducing them to our traditions, and facilitating bonds with their new brothers and sisters.

We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest members of our forever family!

2022 has been our busiest year yet as we start making major investments in Education to provide more students with the opportunities they deserve. This year, we started on two of our biggest projects: taking on a new primary school partnership and transforming OSS into a residential campus.

We are always so proud when the children of the Rift Valley Children’s Village (RVCV) graduate from higher education and become active citizens who will shape Tanzania’s future. With a number of older kids currently visiting home, we are learning more about their experiences in the workforce and wanted to share an update!

Thirty of our RVCV children have now graduated from post-secondary school and transitioned to their new lives as independent young adults. As we celebrate these young adults who are now social workers, safari guides, nurses, and entrepreneurs, we have additional capacity to welcome more vulnerable children who are in need of a loving family and permanent home.

The Student Teacher Program is aimed at tackling two major problems that face our community: dedicated, smart young adults unable to continue their education due to financial constraints and a limited number of teachers available to give primary school students the individual attention they need.

It is hard to describe just how far TCF’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program has come in the last few years. When I first volunteered at RVCV in 2016, ECCE served only 16 kids between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.

India, who is pursuing a Clinical Medicine degree, spends her school breaks interning at our Rural Community Health Clinic. Through hands-on experience, India has gained a wide variety of practical skills.

Born and raised in TEC, a neighboring village, Anna Boay was eager to find a job as a teacher. Having heard about the potential of an opening at RVCV, she came home to submit an application and in 2020 became an integral part of our ECCE Program.

We have big news! Starting in January 2022, we are entering our third public-private partnership with the government to run Oldeani Primary School. As a school with over 700 students and only 6 teachers, the need for resources and leadership is significant.

For two weeks straight, any visitor may have mistaken Rubundo House for an art studio. Up to twelve Rift Valley Children's Village kids could be found gathered there engrossed in their paintings.

“It’s much different here at RVCV than in other communities; no other students my age get the chance to be given an internship designed for their college studies. Because everyone here takes the time to know what I’m interested in and support my decisions, I feel valued and cared for every day,” explains Faraja.

When Belinda and Kalisti, both age 4, began the 2021 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Program at RVCV they didn’t know their letters and numbers, couldn’t recognize most shapes and colors, and were shy around their classmates and teachers. After just four short months, their improvements have been quite impressive.