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The children’s village

Our village is home to ten houses, a school, a farm and sports facilities. A lot of love, an intact foster family, health, sport and education are particularly important to us. Good co-operation with representatives from society, the state and the government is important for helping people to help themselves. Because “no man is an island”.

Our children’s village, the centrepiece of Kids of Africa

The founding of the village marked the beginning of a lifelong journey. Maintaining the village requires daily efforts for electricity, sanitation and food, while older protégés want to attend higher schools. All donations, unless explicitly requested otherwise, automatically go towards these maintenance costs, and we ensure that 100 per cent of every donation goes to the protégés and is not used for administration or communication.

Table of contents

Living with families with a day structure

All our houses are carefully built. Each family has its own home. The mother has her own bedroom. Sometimes, however, she shares it with babies or sick children so as not to disturb the other children. 

Four children share a bedroom, there are sufficient sanitary facilities, a kitchen and a covered veranda. The children can play, do sports and work on our farm. There are quiet places for schoolwork. Not a luxury, but a paradise for many.

Substitute mums

Mums are always busy. For example, they look after the little ones at night or prepare breakfast. They get up early because the children have to brush their teeth, get dressed and have breakfast at 5 o’clock. Most of them have to go to school at 6 o’clock.

Meals are eaten together. The mothers can buy food on a fixed budget on their own farm or at the market.

Hygiene

Hygiene is very important in a large family. Bed linen has to be cleaned regularly, mosquito nets checked, toothbrushes clearly labelled and so on – all of which is actually a matter of course. Thanks to the project with BadeWelten, our village also has its own access to clean drinking water.

Family time

Birthdays are festive days. At Kids of Africa, every child “receives” a special celebration date. We celebrate these days as a family and in the village.

At least once a month, all ten families share dinner. Then cakes are baked, sometimes a fire is lit and the children are allowed to enjoy a sweet drink. We celebrate these days with music, dancing and presents – magical moments.

The values in our children’s village

Love is the strongest force in life. Kids of Africa runs a village where children in need grow up in foster families. Here they experience love, security, education and self-confidence. Because saving a child saves a world. We believe in this and in our protégés. We protect them from hunger, illness, conflict, hardship and violence.

No man is an island. Kids of Africa is regarded as a national flagship project in Uganda. We coordinate our work with representatives of the state and society in a spirit of trust. We help our protégés to develop into responsible, competent Ugandan citizens.

With school sponsorships, volunteer work, vocational training, sustainable agriculture and reforestation, we are working against poverty, hunger and disease and in favour of holistic development. We use every donation for this – one hundred per cent.

Because we believe in them!

“We are family!” is our guiding principle. Because we believe that every child – especially the poorest of the poor – deserves a family, love and care.

The group of our protégés is as colourful as life itself. There are gifted and needy children. Most of them work hard, all of them like to play, most of them are socially competent, but we are also aware of autism.

Almost all of them arrive sick, malnourished or traumatised. Some have experienced domestic violence. Others never met their parents or lost them to AIDS. Some carry the HI virus and receive medical support from us.

Whatever it is – we support them where they are. Just like a real family.

Agriculture and self-sufficiency

Sustainable agriculture is the basis of good nutrition. What’s more, knowledge about the land, the economy and sustainability is part of our education. This is also part of helping people to help themselves. And responsibility.

With a donated tractor, we have significantly increased the harvest on our farm – using purely organic farming methods. We also cultivate some plots in our neighbourhood and always work hand in hand with the local population. After all, healthy nutrition and helping people to help themselves often begins with sustainable agriculture.

This is also part of our work to combat hunger, poverty and need. Small effort, big impact. Once again we see that happiness really does seem to be the only good that increases when it is shared.

Sport moves mountains

Have you noticed it too? Sport makes us happy and strengthens us. What’s more, sport connects us, pushes boundaries and promotes self-confidence. Sport is an educational principle at Kids of Africa. True to the motto “Mens sana in corpore sano”. Sport clears the mind, sport is healthy and sport is fun.

Sport is an educational treasure chest. Especially for children to whom life has not given much else.

Nelson Mandela already knew that:

“Sport has the power to change the world. Sport has the power to inspire people. Sport has the power to connect people like no other force. Sport speaks to young people in a language they understand better than any other.”

For all these reasons, we are focussing heavily on this type of leisure activity. Athletics, football and rugby are the most popular sports in Uganda. We promote them all. We work together with Uganda’s professional sports clubs. This allows our pupils to learn from athletes. Some become athletes themselves. But everyone benefits. That’s why we want to focus even more on projects like this.

At our largest school, Kids Pioneers School, we are planning to build a new sports field. It will include a combined playing field and running track. Not just for the children at our school, but for everyone. Will you help us? It’s a small investment for a big benefit.


With Felix von der Laden, alias Dner, at the Kids of Africa village birthday party.

The well-known German YouTube star, Dner, visited the eleventh Kids of Africa village birthday party at his own expense. Follow his video blogs about three days in the village here!

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Do you have any questions?
We have the answers.

How are the expenses for advertising and fundraising paid?

All advertising and fundraising expenses are paid privately by the founder of Kids of Africa, Burkhard Varnholt – as his own donation to the project, so to speak.

How can I donate for Kids of Africa?

Fill in the form on our website and transfer the amount you have chosen. We offer the following payment methods:

  • Credit card
  • Twint
  • Postfinance
  • Bank transfer
Will I receive a donation receipt for my donation?

If you wish, we will be happy to issue you with a donation receipt. In this case, please select “Yes, I would like a donation receipt for my tax return” on the form.

How high is the share of administrative costs in total expenditure?

The organisation is unconditionally committed to its purpose. Every single donation flows directly into the project and thus reaches the children in some form. The administrative costs are kept to a minimum. No salaries or fees are paid to the members. The work involved in marketing, communication and fundraising is also often donated in kind.

Kids of Africa guarantees that one hundred per cent of every franc donated reaches our many protégés.

Because we believe in each of them! Thank you for your help!

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Kids of Africa - Association
Schiffbaustrasse 12
8005 Zurich
Switzerland

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Schiffbaustrasse 12
8005 Zurich
Switzerland

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