Dorris & Michael Fortson

Temple, TX

On a family vacation to Tanzania, we were shocked to discover that, in some villages, newborn babies were being thrown into open latrines and gravel pits, left in empty houses, and buried alive by the roadside. My husband and I were moved to do something about it for many reasons, including that we were retired and that I (Dorris) had been raised in an orphanage from age four to 18.

In 2012, we took a giant leap of faith and opened Neema Village, a baby rescue center in Arusha, Tanzania. Our mission was to transform “Hopeless into Hope” by rescuing abandoned and orphaned babies, reuniting children with families and promoting adoptions.

We soon began to realize that the real problem was that many young mothers were dying during delivery and that other mothers were unable to care for their children. Nearly 10 acres were purchased and a new 60-bed baby home was built along with a Cottage for Unadoptable Children (those with disabilities.) A Mothering Center will be built next year to help young mothers at risk during pregnancy.

Dorris FortsonCurrently there are 48 babies and two single mothers living at Neema Village. Since opening, 108 babies have been saved and would have not survived.  22 orphaned babies have been reunited with an extended family member, such as a grandmother, and 22 other babies are now part of a loving family through adoption. You can read more in our blog posts.

A great example of our impact is Baby Maxine who came to Neema House weighing about two pounds and on death’s door. Neema House not only saved her life, but gave her the hope of a better future as she was adopted by a couple that works for United Nations.

We are now in the process of establishing a micro-enterprise program called MAP (Mothers Against Poverty) so women can be trained and become self-sufficient to support themselves and their children. This will have a significant impact on the mortality rate of children and women who, on $2 day or less, cannot provide proper nutrition or clean water to their children.

The only paid staff at Neema Village are Tanzanian (nannies, guards, cooks, etc.) My husband and I, and other administrative staff, volunteer our time. You are never too old to make a difference in the world. The greatest use of your life is to use it for something that outlasts you. Remember you can’t do everything, but you can do something. What you do for yourself dies with you, but what you do for others lives on.

(Watch this video about Neema House.)