A Rafiki Training Village provides a loving home environment for the orphans and vulnerable children within an African community. Children who come to a Rafiki Training Village often arrive frightened, malnourished, and suffering from various illnesses. Many have either never attended school or have had their schooling interrupted. Once in our care, the children are placed in a home environment with an African woman who becomes their mother. They receive nutritious meals, medical care, and they begin to attend the school at the Rafiki Village. When the children reach the age of ten, they transition to a residence hall where they live with a married couple who become their "parents."
This type of quality, comprehensive care is only possible through orphan sponsorship. Orphan Sponsors will receive a photo and description of the child as well as regular updates for as long as the sponsorship continues. You may also gift orphan sponsorship and the person you designate will receive progress reports on their child’s educational and social growth.
We estimate that it takes $200 per month to feed, clothe, house, educate, and provide medical care for each child. These funds also help pay for the national workers hired to help care for the children such as school teachers, cooks, and national women to serve as mothers and assistants.
For a minimum of $25 a month, you can help to meet these needs and profoundly change the life (both physical and spiritual) of an African child.
There are two ways you can become an orphan sponsor. You may sign up by either contacting the Foundation at orphans@rafiki-foundation.org or by calling 352-483-9131. Click here to sponsor a child using Rafiki's website
Rafiki sponsors may correspond with their child. Sponsors may send their child a photo of themselves. The sponsor may also send a card to the child at Christmas and on their birthday.
Sponsors are encouraged to contribute $10 each year for a birthday and Christmas gift. The ChildCare director purchases all gifts for the children based on the child’s interests and skills.
One of our newest children lives in the Rafiki Village in Liberia. Nehemiah, whose mother died giving him birth, arrived at Rafiki in October of 2009. Suffering from malnutrition and severe ear and lung infections, two-year-old Nehemiah weighed just seventeen pounds and could neither walk nor talk. Several months after living in the care of Rafiki, Nehemiah’s Rafiki Mother reported that he has been transformed into a healthy, running, jabbering, feisty, independent toddler. Nehemiah is no longer alone; he has a new family and a life of expanding horizons and an opportunity to come to know Jesus.