Even more!

We had more of RVCV's new additions down at FAME for their physicals ...

Introducing ...

Lucia (age 3) - who is Natalie's older sister - Natalie, who came in September.

Maria (age 7) and her younger siblings ...

Micheal and Gabrielle (age 3) and TWINS!!!

And finally, here is pic of Musa who came in September as well, but who I haven't had a chance to photograph until now! You can believe the difference in this little guy in five short months!

They just keep pouring in! Keep them all in your thoughts as they make the difficult transition to a new life and a new family.

And then there were more!

This afternoon the next three additions to the Rift Valley Children's Village arrived at clinic for their physicals. These three were all a whole lot LESS afraid than the four kiddos yesterday. All three smiled and laughed. They came right in the clinic and gave me a big hug! But the flushing toilet was no less frightening for them than it is for every kid who comes to RVCV from a rural area.

Introducing ...

Baraka (10 yrs) ...

Hadija (7 yrs) ...

And Ali (5 yrs).

And again, other than the obvious malnutrition, these three are in great shape!

Dr. ME with Baraka during his physical.

Nurse Emma with Ali during his physical.

What amazing additions to the family!

New Additions to RVCV

Rift Valley Children's Village has completed construction of a new children's home and this week begins the intake process for new children. Four new kids - a sibling group - were picked up on Monday evening and brought to the clinic first thing on Tuesday morning for full physicals.

Introducing ...


This is Eric (9 yrs) ...

Frajah (7 yrs) ...

Elibaraka (5 yrs) ...

and last but not least, little Neema (2 1/2 yrs).



Here is Dr. Mary Ellen Shields (an American pediatrician) and her daughter Emma (a pediatric ICU nurse) who are currently volunteering with Dr. Frank. Perfect timing to help out with these new kids!


Here is Eric - so skinny!



Here is Elibaraka - all smiles and giggles the whole day - he must feel like he has hit the jackpot! He is pictured with Dr. Steve Watson (from Canada) who is currently volunteering with India and was the one to bring the kiddos down to clinic for their check ups!

Here is Farajah getting weighed!

All four kids are very malnourished and a few had funzas, but otherwise they are in good shape. Give them a couple of weeks at RVCV and you won't even recognize them!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!

May the new year bring to you and your family

the joy and health you desire!

Addison (7months) and Coleton (5months)!

Scholarship Recipient Update

The African Orphan Education Fund began granting scholarships in 2005. It's first recipient was Mwasiti Juma, a young woman who had been accepted to college but didn't have the funds to attend.


After Mwasiti, the next two recipients were David and Vincent. Both had been the original two student teachers at The Rift Valley Children's Village. They had worked on site for over a year - teaching and tutoring the children, in exchange for a scholarship to secondary school.


Below are pictures of David at his secondary school graduation! He graduated last year. He is pictured with a classmate and with India Howell, Founder and Director of The Rift Valley Children's Village.







We are so proud of David and his accomplishments! I just saw him at RVCV for Christmas - a proud graduate! Moving to Arusha to begin job interviews!


And Vincent was home with his extended family in Karatu for Christmas as well. We got to spend some time together, catch up. He still has a few more years of secondary school to go but he is doing exceptionally well!

We are so proud of David and Vincent! As well as of all of our other scholarship recipients. These are some of the hardest working young men and women that I have ever met. They are an inspiration!



They have been afforded the opportunity to pursue their education because of generous donors like you! Thank you again for your support of these scholars! Your donations are helping them succeed!

Me and the kiddos at Gibbs Farm

Doesn't look much like Christmas time, does it?

Belated Merry Christmas!

I spent Christmas up the mountain at the Rift Valley Children's Village. This was my first Christmas in Africa, as I usually get home in time to celebrate with my family.

But if I couldn't be with my family in Cleveland this year, RVCV was the next best option.

Christmas eve the kids all get new pajamas, read The Night Before Christmas, and go to bed in time for Santa to come.

The adults all get to have a lovely dinner together before becoming Santa for the dozens of children at the village - gifts in the stockings and under the trees!

We woke up on Christmas morning at 6am and every single gift had been opened by 6:05. It was the fastest Christmas morning in the history of Christmas mornings! But then we enjoyed the day - singing and dancing - playing with new toys - eating a family feast in the rec hall.

Here is a picture of India and all of the kids - wearing their brand new Christmas shirts and dresses - made locally with local fabrics!

I hope that everyone had a joyous holiday back home!

Happy New Year! (a little early in case we don't have internet between now and Thursday!)

Love, Meredith