About

Village Project Africa



Our mission in Makutano, Kenya

Educate a child • Equip and care for a widow • Bring hope to a village • Transform lives


The cornerstone of our mission…

…is demonstrating Christ’s love, showing compassion to all and teaching biblical principles.   We hope to help our students and the villagers not only thrive, but to know Jesus as well.  While our four focuses (education, support for widows, health, and farming initiatives) make their lives safer and healthier, we believe the fullest, richest life comes through a relationship with Jesus, which we endeavor to teach in everything we do.

Christian education is part of our curriculum. Additionally, each Sunday, we have a church service that is led by students and staff on our primary and our high school campuses.  The vast majority of our boarding students and others who live nearby regularly attend these services.

While we are resolutely a Christian school, we have students of different faiths, tribes and languages, and all are welcomed, loved and nurtured.

Our History



A Small Beginning

…in 2006.  Mama Mary (as she was affectionately called), was a widow and a pastor in the village of Makutano, Kenya. Recognizing how widows were mistreated and segregated, she began meeting with the women in her area. Soon, their children began coming with their mothers every Saturday, and Mama Mary began feeding and ministering to her friends.

Mama Mary’s son Davis (Otieno Reuben) was a graduate of Kima International School of Theology, and knew Margaret Lewis from her time as a volunteer there.  He shared with Margaret how God was working in his mother’s village, and asked her to visit the village to see their work.

“Once I saw how the widows and children were being cared for by Davis’ mom,” Margaret remembers, “my trust and belief began to grow …I remembered the saying, ‘little is much when God is in it,’ and I knew God was in this small beginning.”

Over time, Davis and Margaret worked with the people of Makutano to learn about their needs as a community and find creative and productive ways to meet their needs.  Village Project Africa was born.

Sadly for the VPA family, Mama Mary passed into Glory in January, 2022.  Her love, care and concern for widows and orphans will continue and her impact will be felt for years to come.  She is greatly missed.

In 2009…

…Village Project Africa was incorporated and recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization by the U.S. government.  VPA raises funds for and partners with a Kenyan community based organization.

Together they operate Heritage Primary and Heritage High School. What began as a small pre-school of 50 children in a mud building in 2006 has grown to more than 1080 students from 3 -year olds to Class 12 on two campuses.

VPA also helps to provide support for widows, farming education and healthcare for students, staff and villagers.

“But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.”

Psalm 9:18

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