Vision
Back in 1980 Frikkie & Juanita de Jager (founders of Vila Maninga) had a vision. They felt God calling them to set up homes for orphans and destitute children in rural Africa.

They established Manhinga Village in eastern Zimbabwe. Twenty years later it is completely self-sufficient, caring for 130 orphans and homeless children.

After the Mozambican civil war ended in 1992, the de Jagers started a similar project - Vila Maninga.

Vila Maninga means Village of Places of Refuge. Today it is exactly that, consisting of the first foster homes for orphans, a large farm, a small clinic, basic vocational training, a Christian Bible College and a Primary School.

Orphans come to Vila Maninga
At present Vila Maninga is home to about 25 orphans and destitute children. Their stories of why they come to Vila Maninga are all different but all tragic.

Some of the orphans have lost their parents in the war, some from AIDS, malaria and other illnesses and diseases. Some have even suffered abuse. All of them have had hard lives and have not had a chance to live as children.

The children are referred to Vila Maninga via the social welfare system and for all of them it is the chance of a new life.

Vila Maninga ensures a loving community for all
The orphans who live at Vila Maninga are cared for in African foster families, looked after by parents who may or may not have had children of their own. The families live in circular African huts called rondavels.

These special supervised family "units", mean that the children can grow up in a caring African family, living the sames lives as the other local children.

The community lives in a style appropriate to local customs, not the customs of a western lifestyle.

More families in the future
Development continues at Vila Maninga and in the future there will be as many as six rondavels each housing a foster family with as many as 25 children in each.

Vila Maninga needs funds to continue housing development and other projects.
Find out how you can help.