Care Village and DreamMaker

DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen is deeply committed to Middleburg Care Village, an orphanage in South Africa. Over the years, more than a dozen team members have traveled to South Africa, dedicating two weeks to build lasting connections with the children. Care Village Outreach, Inc. was founded in March 2018.

Interest in forming a non-profit began after a church mission trip sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Saline, Michigan, in August 2017. The mission team of 27 spent approximately two weeks at Care Village, and the experience was life-changing for many participants.

The children at Care Village, aged three to nineteen, live in seven houses, generally grouped by gender and age. Each house has two house parents responsible for the health, hygiene, care, and upbringing of the children. These children come from various backgrounds, often arriving at Care Village in crisis after being removed from their homes by the courts.

Education has always been a challenge at Care Village. The children are typically one to four years behind their grade level, and some have not attended school in years. They are enrolled in various schools in Middelburg and transported daily by multiple vehicles, a significant expense for Care Village. Despite facing difficulties in catching up, the children are hopeful, inquisitive, and hard-working, viewing education as a privilege and a key to a better future.

After founding Care Village Outreach, Inc., we undertook three initial projects:

1. Establish a school on-site to help the children learn at their own pace, starting at their individual level.
2. Furnish the school by collecting donated goods from the Saline community and sending them via shipping container to Care Village.
3. Continue organizing and sending teams to Care Village to offer love and support to the children.

Our ongoing goals include:

• Restructuring and renaming the remedial school to "The Care Center" in 2022, which now helps 25 children from preschool through grade 6. As the children succeed, they will transition to St. Peter’s Christian College.
• Sending seven shipping containers to support the staff and children at Care Village, with plans for two more in 2023.
• Organizing multiple teams to visit Care Village, providing love and support.

Since 2018, Care Village Outreach has brought over 85 people to Care Village and established many initiatives, including:

• Bringing Internet connectivity.
• Installing cooling units in house lounges.
• Renovating the swimming pool.
• Taking children on excursions.
• Organizing birthday and Christmas gift-giving.
• Purchasing kitchen equipment and a new bus for school transportation.

There is still much to do to support these vulnerable children. We are grateful to everyone who has helped in the past and those who will help in the future. Support comes in many forms, from volunteering in Saline, sponsoring children, visiting Care Village, donating items and money, to praying for the children.

If you are interested in supporting our Care Village children in any way, please contact us. Care Village holds a special place in the hearts of many from Saline and beyond. We continue to dream big for our children and invite you to join us in any way you can.