Noon Rotary Club Members Learn About Neema Village

Kassie Stanfield, who studied Accounting at Harding University in Arkansas, met the grandaughter of two missionaries from Texas, Michael and Dorris Fortson.

Kassie Stanfield talks about Neema Village.

The Fortsons started an orphan rescue center in Tanzania, Africa in 2008 called Neema Village. The focus at Neema Village is the rescue and recovery of infants under two years of age. There are 3.1 million orphans in Tanzania.

This is due to an extraordinarily high maternity mortality rate and a culture that accepts father abandonment. And, the fact the Tanzania government doesn't allow international adoption.

Two-hundred and seventy children die in Tanzania every day, 40% of these are orphans. Neema Village currently has 50 children on campus.

Kassie and other volunteers have started the MAP Program (Mothers Against Poverty) at Neema Village. This educational program helps single mothers and widows start and operate businesses such as selling charcoal, vegetables, chickens, cattle and beauty services. Kassie calls this "Woman Empowerment" in its most basic form. The program currently has 76 mothers involved.

Kassie will be at Neema Village for one year with no pay. Neema Village is funded by private donations. The most compelling marketing dynamic is simply the stories and pictures of the children saved.

Michael and Dorris Fortson with several of the orphans at Neema Village.