1/2 of our present, all of our future

There is a saying that children are one third of our present and all of our future. In sub-Saharan Africa 50% of the population is below the age of 15.

Rift Valley Children's Village is, at first glance, a beautiful orphanage nestled in the hills between Oldeani and Karatu, but there are a few very special things that set RVCV apart. Once a child comes to live here, this is their home. No children are adopted, that's right, an "orphanage" that does not have any children up for adoption. This means that while volunteers come and go, once a child moves here, they can develop relationships with the staff and the other children without reservations. Once the children finish primary school they go off to a boarding school in the area, but their needs are still taken care of, they come home during semester breaks, and they remain members of this community.

A question that is hard to avoid when working in a developing country is, "what is the long term impact of what is being done?" It is easy when you are at home in the states to say, "well I saved a life, that is worth something," and I would not argue against this feeling. But overall in the past 50 years over $1 trillion dollars of aid has poured into this continent and in many respects the standard of living has gone down. The issue of foreign aid is very complicated and not a topic I will even attempt to tackle here, but I did read an interesting take on the effects of foreign aid. The book is Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo, for those interested in a great overview of aid in Africa and elsewhere. Where was I...?? Oh ya, long term impact. What is missing in many of the programs here is staying power. What I find very cool about Rift Valley, is that even though the organization is dependent on donations for its survival the "end product," the long term impact of this program, is that Tanzania will have more educated, compassionate young people tomorrow than it would have had if this place did not exist.

Sadly, there are more children on this earth than there are parents capable and willing to take care of them. Adoption is awesome for those who are willing to take it on, and there are many kids that would benefit from a loving home. ( and you don't need to travel to Africa or Asia to find them) What is so unique about Rift Valley, is that instead of transplanting these children from their place of origin to some foreign land (e.g. America) so that they can have a "better" life, a loving, safe and stable environment has been created here, an environment with structure, support and opportunity. RVCV is giving these children and their country a brighter future.

I am currently reading Harry Potter to the standard 2 kids.

Hope everyone is doing well, Ill be home in two weeks!!!!

Someone better go see the new harry potter with when I get back!

best,

Dave