The MISSION of Village Life Outreach Project, Inc. is “to unite communities to promote Life, Health and Education.” Realizing these goals of improving Life, Health and Education, meant establishing the following different committees to address the unique needs of both the U.S. and Tanzanian communities.

Co-Chairpersons: Kevin Klueber and Luke Brunck

Overview: The lack of access to clean water in the impoverished region served by Village Life was identified by village leaders as the most severe problem faced by the community. With no capacity for plumbing and the inability to build useful wells, children are often seen drinking directly from muddy ponds where livestock also feed and bathe themselves. Dirty water also contributes to sickness, disease and death for many families. For perspective, even the most polluted rivers in the United States are far cleaner and superior for drinking than what people in this region of Tanzania have.

Purpose: To partner with local villagers in characterizing problems that decrease the quality of life and then together creating self-sustainable solutions.

Major Goals:

• Establish solutions to water quality and quantity issues
• Conduct critical research for determining the most appropriate technologies for water filtration, collection and storage as well as a future sanitation system
• Support the establishment of small businesses to stimulate local economic growth

Current Projects:

• Slow Sand Water Filters
• Moringa Tree Planting (Seeds Used for Clay Coagulation/Water Purification)
• Solar Disinfection
• Microfinance Program

Who Works on This Committee? Those with the following interests, background and/or experience:

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Construction
• Business
• Geography

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Co-Chairpersons: Zachary Berrens and Kelly Bennett

Overview: When healthcare volunteers on Village Life’s first medical brigade set up their mobile field clinics, many local villagers had never seen a doctor in their life – much less a thermometer, stethoscope or blood pressure cuff! Most children had never had any immunizations either. Volunteers quickly realized that the limited medical supplies could only help a few, but so many sick people were still waiting hours on end in the stifling heat in hopes of getting some relief. Village leaders identified malaria, life-threatening diarrhea from worm infestations and severe malnutrition as the major health problems among villagers.

Purpose: To partner with local villagers to decrease sickness and death from preventable diseases using educational tools and self-sustainable interventions.

Major Goals:

• Develop educational and prevention programs on malaria, schistosomiasis, and the importance of preparing and drinking clean water
• Acquire access to free and/or minimally expensive medications for common health problems
• Provide free health care for villagers during the annual October outreach brigades
• Establish a permanent healthcare facility with 24-hour staffing

Current Projects:

• Mosquito Net Project
• Mobile Field Clinics
• Standardization of Treatment Protocols and Discharge Teaching for typical health problems
• Schistosomiasis Prophylaxis
• Child Health Initiative

Who Works on This Committee? Those with the following interests, background and/or experience:

• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Dentistry
• Nutrition and Dietetics
  

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Co-Chairpersons: Amber Brunck and John Berrens

Overview: Imagine walking an hour and a half to school each day with nothing to eat or drink. Then, imagine sitting on rickety wooden benches resting on dirt floors and sharing books with several of your classmates. Children in the 3 villages that Village Life serves endure these types of conditions on a regular basis. However, they remain eager to learn and absorb any and everything they can despite their limited resources and opportunities.

Purpose: To partner with schools in the villages of Roche, Nyambogo and Burere to improve educational opportunities for children and to help with educational components of other Village Life projects.

Major Goals:

• Improve access to educational resources (textbooks, paper, writing utensils, etc.)
• Promote professional development of village teachers
• Develop a School Lunch Program

Current Projects: 

• Pen-Pal Program
• Education Sponsorship Program
• Nutrition Project
• Teacher Professional Development
• Establishing School Resource Centers

Who Works on This Committee?  Those with the following interests, background and/or experience:

• Education
• Teaching
• Research
• Foreign Language
• Nutrition and Dietetics

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Co-Chairpersons: Kristin Fontaine and Dave McGlynn

Overview: In the beginning, as a grassroots organization comprised of mostly modest health and science professionals, Village Life lacked the expertise and resources to promote the amazing work the organization was accomplishing. In addition, the rapid growth and blossoming success meant additional assistance was needed in guiding the development and implementation of new projects for the organization. Likewise, the need for branding of the organization to prevent misrepresentation or confusion with other organizations was recognized.

Purpose: To promote the successful and world-changing work Village Life performs in Tanzania, East Africa and the United States.

Major Goals:

• Increase the visibility of Village Life Outreach Project, Inc. at the national and international level
• Solidify relationships with current donors and sponsors
• Attract new volunteers, donors and sponsors to the organization

Current Projects:

• “Night On The Serengeti” Annual Fundraiser
• Informational Brochures on Village Life Outreach Project
• Essex Art Walk

Who Works on This Committee? Those with the following interests, background and/or experience:

• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Non-Profit Fundraising
• Journalism
• Website Design and Maintenance
• Film and TV Production
• Photography and Videography

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Chairperson: Michael Zaretsky, Architect, LEED AP

Overview: The Mobile Field Clinics conducted by Village Life Outreach are successful at providing temporary aid to the limited number of villagers that are able to be treated during the Brigades. However, given the short time-period and limited resources available during these Brigades, they do not even scratch the surface of providing lasting treatments for the medical issues plaguing the community. The establishment of a permanent health center for the region is critical for the future health of the residents of the region.

Purpose: To design and construct a permanent health center in Roche Village that will not only meet the medical needs of the village year-round, but also serve as a center of the community, including spaces for commerce, education and community gatherings.

Major Goals:

• Design a health center that is regionally and culturally appropriate and meets the healthcare needs for the people in the region
• Design a health center that is sustainable and can be operated efficiently while taking into account the climatic conditions, the lack of power and the scarcity of clean water in the area
• Oversee construction of the Roche Health Center

Current Projects: Roche Health Center. Construction is currently underway on the Roche Health Center. To see updated pictures and follow along with the progress, please click here.

Who Works on This Committee? Those with the following interests, background and/or experience:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Construction
• Education
• Cultural and Environmental Studies