One sunny Tanzania afternoon three siblings, a boy around 14, and two girls aged perhaps 12 and 7 years, came to Dan and Bethany Tanner’s home and asked for work.  They said they had no parents, were living in a rented room, and were cooking for themselves. When asked their names they said, “We are Sikuja, Sijaona, and Sista.”  Bethany said, “The meaning behind their names touched our hearts.”  Sikuja means, “I didn’t know,” Sijaone means, “I hadn’t seen,” and the last one Sista, (sister) was simply called that because she didn’t have a name.

Checking with the local Social Welfare Office and also the village leader, they soon discovered the children no longer had a mother and no one knew who the father might be.  The Social Welfare Office classified them as “vulnerable” and gave the Tanner’s permission to help them in any way they could.

In an attempt to help these children and the growing number of others orphaned due to the  AIDS pandemic, the Mavuno Village concept was born.

They need a father figure so they can have an early image of God, and they need the example of living in a family as well as learning life skills by having national parents.Dan and Bethany explained, “Mavuno Village’s mission is to build a Christian family-style village supported in part by farming, that will teach the biblical values of family as well as equip the children with skills for their future.

“We want the children to learn and see the benefits of hard work as well as trusting God and learn how to handle money at an early age.

“Our vision is to build 4 home units, with a godly family unit in one home and [trained] widows overseeing approximately 8 children in each of the three other homes.  The family unit will oversee the 24 children, provide a father figure and an example of the functions of a godly family.

“They need a father figure so they can have an early image of God, and they need the example of living in a family as well as learning life skills by having national parents.

“[We] want to provide them with educational opportunities so they can have a future.  Once they are finished with formal education, we hope to provide them with apprenticeship style opportunities that will earn enough money to help them continue their lives with the tools of their chosen trade.”

When asked what kinds of vocational training they hope to offer at Mavuno Village, they said, “agricultural and farming, sewing, computers, business education, mechanical skills, and whatever we see will be needed in the future of Tanzania.”

“We see the real need of providing the children with a way to start in the real world.  The children need the resources to find work.  When a child leaves home they need not just an education but funds to make a start. That is why we want to have them work at Mavuno Village as apprentices to acquire both the knowledge and the means to leave “home.”  Our goal is an end product. Spiritually grounded, Christian self-sufficient adults who can become responsible family members and break the AIDS/poverty cycle.

“Our plan is a long-term solution and we are aware that some of the things we hope to accomplish may take years before they become reality.”

This program is now underway.  Full registration for the village is completed.  The constitution is written. Board members have been selected. Land has been obtained.  In addition to Dan and Bethany Tanner, Malaki, a graduate of Nassa Theological College and his wife Ombeni Bujiku, have enthusiastically joined in this venture.

And, what about those three children, Sikujua, Sijaona, and Sista?  The Tanner’s have found a delightful Christian foster family to take the children. Sikujua has changed his name to Musa, Sijaona has changed her name to Mariamu, and little Sista who had no name now has one – it’s Eva.  Bethany says, “It’s amazing to see them looking more healthy and happy and regularly attending school.”

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