Visiting the Rift Valley Children’s Village
03/04/2012
It might be remote, but it is most certainly a stunning spot. On the outskirts of the Ngorongoro Crater, amongst coffee plantations and verdant hills, this area would be many people’s idea of a perfect place to escape to.
And indeed this is an escape, and more importantly, home to 83 children, from as young as 5 months old.
American, India Howell, set up the RVCV and didn’t call it an orphanage. I think that fact underlines her vision. This is not an ‘orphanage’, it is a home. It feels like a home, it’s run like a home and the children feel at home. It is a really happy place.
The kids here are all identified to India by local leaders as being either orphaned or at risk. Once here they find love, security, good food, education . . . and a family.
India and her team of permanent staff and volunteers run the home excellently, and it’s all done through charitable donations.
The Tribes foundation has donated to RVCV in the past and we would love to keep backing them.
Currently, they are trying to raise money for a new house for their growing ‘young men’ of 14/15 years old, so they can be taught to look after themselves, ready for life in the big, wide world.
If you would like to help, please send any donations to The Tribes Foundation, and mark them ‘For RVCV’.
Amanda Marks is a founder and director of Tribes Travel. She believes travel opens hearts and minds.
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