Cradle of Love Baby home was situated in Usa River Tanzania. It was founded in 2003 by an American woman Davina Church who saw a need for maternal health.
Since 2013 The Rotary Club of Erina has had great involvement collecting monthly donations and transferring them to assist with the daily running of the facility. The food budget alone is USD 1300 per month (bearing in mind the average daily wage is USD 2) so our money was directed to pay for meat, vegetables, milk, baby formula, nappies, towels, linen, bedding, laundry powder, soap, etc.
In 2017, after obtaining a matching District Grant of $12,000, the baby home was completely renovated inside and out and likewise painted, much to the delight of all. In the time our club has been involved hundreds of babies have been loved and cared for, some being able to be returned home to family members, some have been adopted and those who are a little older are transferred to another facility.
In March this year the facility had to be reluctantly closed due to illness of the director who lives in the US and consequently 30 babies were then transferred to Falco’s Children’s Village in Karatu about a 7 hour drive from Arusha. The love and support of the babies was due to the caring and dedicated staff, who at times, when the money was nonexistent, have worked for nothing until funds were available. It has been an honour to have been involved with such a caring community and know that The Rotary Club of Erina has “Made a Difference”.
