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.

On March 8th, TCF celebrated International Women’s Day by giving thanks to all the incredible women who make our work possible! A special gathering was held for the Rift Valley Women’s Group (RVWG) Mamas at their brand-new workspace located in Oldeani.

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.

Last month, over 500 members of the Oldeani community visited the Rift Valley Children’s Village to celebrate the 15th Annual REAP Day hosted by our Rifty Economic Advancement Program (REAP).  

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!

A few weeks ago, our Health Director, Africanus John, asked me to discuss a unique case with him. He began describing a five-year-old girl, Victoria, who weighs just 14 pounds. She has no signs of malnutrition, has a loving family, and likely suffers from a not-yet-diagnosed genetic syndrome.

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 January of 2023, we opened our first dormitory at Oldeani Secondary School (OSS) and welcomed 96 female and 64 male students to live on campus.

Now, six months later, we sat down with Form 4 student Katherine Maganga to understand what the transition to boarding has been like.

To ensure that students are healthy enough to thrive both in and outside the classroom, TCF’s Health Team conducts annual health screenings at our three partner schools for over 1,700 students. For each student, we conduct a thorough medical history review, performed a head-to-toe assessment, and asked about any complaints or concerns.

The Rifty Economic Advancement Program provides over 640 local entrepreneurs with the microloans, training, and resources needed to launch and operate a small business. As part of its efforts, REAP launched the Rift Valley Women’s Group in 2014 to empower local Mamas with specialized training in beadwork, basket weaving, and sewing.

TCF launched our Special Education Program at Gyetighi Primary School (GPS) to accommodate diverse learners and create a more equitable level of education for students. Teacher Susan Ngowi has been passionately leading a classroom of nine students of varying ages and disabilities.

Last Fall, a mother from the Oldeani community named Helen visited TCF’s Rural Community Health Clinic in search of a solution for her newborn son Prosper who was born with clubfoot. 

In rural Oldeani, access to specialized care and surgery is often rare and prohibitively expensive for families.

To turn her dreams into reality, in 2010, Elfrida Safari joined our Rifty Economic Advancement Program (REAP) which provides local entrepreneurs with the necessary loans, business training, and resources to successfully launch and operate a small business.

In January of 2023, we opened our first dormitory and welcomed 96 female students and 64 male students to live on campus. It was an exciting time for the Oldeani community as families celebrated the opportunity to give their child a better chance at completing secondary school.

In Tanzania, less than 30% of students complete their secondary education. To address this issue and ensure accessible quality secondary education for the Oldeani community, TCF partnered with the government to co-manage Oldeani Secondary School (OSS) in 2013.

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!

When we started our partnership with Oldeani Primary School in March of this year, we knew we had a long road ahead in transforming Oldeani Primary into a school that delivered the kind of education every student deserves. As we finish the academic year, we are incredibly proud of the team that has been built and the progress that has been made together.