Like sand on the seashore
“There are as many orphans in Africa as grains of sand on the seashore”. Their fate is predetermined. Orphans turn into street children: abused and mistreated they end up in prostitution, criminality and imprisonment – or meet with a premature death. But for some, fate has changed.
“Bethania”, our children’s village in Kemondo, Tanzania, is set in beautiful surroundings by Lake Victoria. 115 orphans have found loving acceptance here. Without exception, they all have awful backgrounds that have shaped them.
- More than a children's village: Bethania
Strong team
The house parents are real “gems”. With around 14 orphans each, they live as a family in one house – seven days a week and 24 hours a day. Together with our Tanzanian project manager Johannes Kasimbazi and his wife Florence, along with Andrea Hartl, they form a strong team.
Children's village with a wider scope
As the children's village, together with assistance from the Czech Republic, we additionally support 1070 orphans in five surrounding state primary schools, providing them with school uniforms, shoes and school materials.
Lessons in English
At our own school in Bethania, lessons are given in English. Of the now 340 pupils, 88 are from the children's village and the others are from the surrounding area, some of them from Muslim families. In addition to providing a good school education, we also teach the children Christian values. In the last state exams for the 7th grade, Bethania achieved first place among 129 schools. The demand is correspondingly high. We therefore opened a little boarding home with 48 beds in January of this year.
Little fishing fleet
Seven boats are now being used for the children's village. The profits are used to absorb the continually rising prices – especially for food – and to finance necessary equipment, such as rainwater tanks for the houses.
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- View of our school
- "Fishing fleet”
Jobs
Our project has become a significant employer for the region.
Of the 470 inhabitants of Bethania, 84 are involved in the various projects.
Our next project
Many street children are still waiting to be given a chance for life in Bethania. This is why we are planning to build a new house next year. Just as Jesus said: “Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”