Welcome
to the
Village of Hope
in beautiful
Morogoro, Tanzania
The Vision Becomes a Reality!
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: **PLEASE SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR NEW PHOTOS AND UPDATES! Pictured with the children, from left, are Helen Rusimbi, founder and administrator of the Village of Hope, Diane Hale, founder amd Director of Unique by Design Ministries, Bobbie Edwards, VOH Director of Sponsorships, Nana the housemother and the cook. The city is a mixture of the old and the new, as with most cities. Some of the residents enjoying happy times in their new home with _____________________ Change is slow to come in some areas of Morogoro, but it has begun. There is a new awareness regarding the needs of the African people ~ this is bringing help from the medical and Christian communities who visit regularly to minister and bring aid. Progress is being made! Morogoro ~ unique in it's beauty, culture and people.
This is only one of many stories of the children at Village of Hope ~ a place where each one is loved, safe, encouraged and educated ~ all in a Christian-based environment.
to look after orphans and widows in their distress...."
James 1:27
When Helen Rusimbi rented two units of this triplex on the outskirts of the city of Morogoro, it was the first step toward her vision ~ but the building was not yet a home ~ not until the process, paperwork and all the legalities were complete ~ then in early 2008, one by one the children began making their way to what would become their new home and their new family.
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The many faces of
MOROGORO, TANZANIA
The city of Morogoro is a three hour drive from Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, and nestled at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains.
Due to narrow and underdevloped streets, transportation can be difficult, especially in the rainy season. For many, it is necessary to walk or ride bicycles
but the most popular are the city buses, or vans. Various small businesses line the city streets, but the focal point is the marketplace. There you'll find anything from fine fabrics and hand-woven baskets to rice, sardines and a wonderful array of
fruits and vegetables.
Morogoro is blessed with rich soil which makes
it an agricultural haven.
All along roadsides, there is an abundance of
fruit stands filled with the bounty of the land.
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Just outside of the inner city, the roads are unpaved and hard to manuveur. But that doesn't discourage the residents from their day-to-day duties. The children sometimes have to walk a mile or more to school, which makes for a long day, especially for the younger ones.
This can be a real challenge during the rainy months.
Whether running a business, selling their wares, making furniture, farming
or woodcarving, for the most part, the people of Morogoro are proud, hard-working and very family oriented. As long as they are able, they take care of family ~ unfortunately, too many have been infected with disease and
have not been able to recover due to lack of education or lack of treatment. This brings us to the homeless children who, through no fault of their own, are being left either on their own or for their government to deal with. These orphans are all ages ~ most have been sexually and/or physically abused and through their eyes, they see their world as a hopeless, cruel and unhappy place ~ this is all they know!
These orphans account for approximately ten percent of Morogoro's population! It's a staggering number, but progress is being made, one child at a time.
their new family at Village of Hope! 
One photo is worth
a thousand words!
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Another face of Morogoro is the natural beauty of the land.
Numerous national parks in Tanzania attract tourists and adventurers each year. People come from around the world to go on safari tours ~ viewing Africa's wild animals in their own natural habitat is an experience quite unlike any other.
It's future belongs to the children.
By providing the tools necessary for each child to develop character,
life skills and responsibility, they are given an extraordinary opportunity
to make a difference in their world.
Please visit our Sponsorship page and
see how you can help!
**Thanks to our VOH sponsors and contributors, 2009 was a record year for the Village! As word went out regarding needs for the children, the response came quickly. Three new bicycles were purchased ~ mattresses are still needed, but some have been purchased. The overall expenses have increased in the past months due to school fees, the number of children housed at the Village and the need for clothing and school supplies.
Thankfully, the children are well and as Helen says, "are growing spiritually and physically ~ they are turning into 'very nice children' ..."
Again, our thanks to those who have given monetarily, prayerfully and without whom these children would have been left to the government or on the streets. May the Lord abundantly Bless each of you. If you feel the Lord has placed one of these children on your heart, I pray you will consider a sponsorship. It costs so little to change a life! 
NEW TALENT DISCOVERY!
Helen recently took the children on a safari at Mikumi National Park. The children were fascinated with the animals, some had never seen them other than in pictures. One child in particular, Baracka Michael, was so impressed after seeing the animals, he began to make likenesses of them using mud. He has since created what Helen calls "The compound zoo" and everyone is just delighted with this new addition. Of course if the mud gets wet, the forms will fall apart, so Helen is trying to obtain materials made specifically for this - possibly like our clay here in the States. Carving and handmade items are a very prevalent art form in Tanzania and is how many of the artisans make their living. This newfound talent can greatly aid in Baracka's future development and give incentive and self confidence in the other residents of the Village. Helen says Baracka's zoo has been a blessing to all at the Village.
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New additions to the Village of Hope!!
These baby chicks are the newest additions and the next phase of Helen's vision for VOH.
The chicken pen was added late in '09 in preparation for it's new residents.
The children were so excited when the baby chickens arrived. They are learning how to feed and care for them and later, of course, the chickens will provide food. This is an educational experience for the children as well as being cost effective in keeping expenses within their budget.
The blessings just keep on coming...........
After hearing the requests for the chickens and possibly for a cow,
a supporter of VOH sent funds to help with the baby chicks and another contributor has committed to the purchase of a cow for the Village! Helen is in the process of preparing for this generous gift to the Village. The agricultural restrictions and codes are being worked out it looks like there will soon be another resident at the compound. What a delight for the children - and again, a wonderful learning experience for them.
Helen, Nana and all the children and staff at VOH are so appreciative of the gifts provided by their sponsors, supporters and friends.
"With God, all things are possible......."
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Please check back often for further updates and photos......
We invite you to be a part of this very special ministry
to some very people halfway round the world.
Would you be willing to help? A little over a dollar a day will
sponsor your child and give him the chance he deserves.
Please visit the Residents page to see photos and information about each child.
THANKS FOR
VISITING THE VILLAGE OF HOPE!
