What does RTU do? - 1. Children's Villages

The Children's Villages are perhaps the best known part of the work of RTU, and indeed the foundation of their work. In February 1978 Brother James Kimpton, the wonderful De La Salle brother who led the charity from its conception and is still involved today, was asked by a local priest to look after four orphaned children. With no facilities for them, he apologetically refused and set off home. But halfway back he felt strongly called to return and take the children. From that tiny seed has grown the flourishing, sheltering tree of four Children's Villages and six hostels for teenagers. In the villages, widows and abandoned wives act as "mothers" for six to eight children, living in good quality but simple houses. Brothers and sisters are always kept together in one "family". Each village has play areas and an auditorium where everybody meets each evening, as well as facilities such as a shop and a health clinic. The children go to school nearby. When they are mature enough, they transfer to one of the hostels, to continue their education and progress to training or study for employment. Every child remains the responsibility of RTU until they are settled independently, after which they will be welcome visitors throughout their lives.

For me this is an inspirational system of care for children without homes and families - they are simply provided with homes and families! For some of them it may be the first time they have experienced love, stability and security. The success of the Children's Villages is clear from the number of well-adjusted adults living fruitful lives after their upbringing within RTU. With the rapid increase of HIV and AIDS in the area, there has been an explosion in the number of orphans brought to the project, many of whom are also HIV+. The response of RTU is to continue taking every child who needs placement. This requires constant expansion and development of resources and skills.