Our Children's Villages
Why Do We Need Featherstale?
In Tanzania, children with special needs sadly often face extreme neglect, abandonment, and isolation. Many families, overwhelmed by poverty and lacking support, are unable to provide the care these children require. Some parents, especially single mothers, are forced to leave their children alone while they work, leading to unintentional neglect. Others become homeless due to the challenges of raising a child with disabilities.
Featherstale Children’s Village was established to address this urgent need. It provides a safe and nurturing environment for these invisible children who cannot be supported by their families. Here, they receive the care, education, and therapy that they need and become part of our Family.
The village also employs single mothers of special needs children as caregivers, providing them with employment and the opportunity to care for their own children within a supportive environment.
Keeping Families Together
A cornerstone of Featherstale's philosophy is the belief that children thrive best when they remain with their families. Whenever possible, the village supports single parents, particularly mothers, by:
Providing Employment: Offering roles within the village, allowing mothers to work while staying close to their children.
Offering Education and Training: Equipping parents with skills and knowledge to better care for their children and achieve independence.
Creating Business Opportunities: Supporting families - especially single mothers - in starting small businesses or income-generating activities that allow them to earn a stable living while maintaining the flexibility needed to care for their child with special needs.
This approach not only benefits the children but also empowers families, reducing the likelihood of abandonment and promoting long-term stability and wellbeing.
