What is the Ya Bana Village?
Ya Bana, which means "for the children" in the Tswana language, is a village project aimed at providing orphaned and vulnerable children with permanent housing in a family environment. Trained house mothers offer love and structure along with ongoing programs to holistically address emotional, educational, spiritual, and cultural needs. Ya Bana is located in a rural area 45 miles from Pretoria, South Africa with limited infrastructure (e.g., electricity, water, or roads).
What is life like in the Ya Bana Village?
The children in the Ya Bana village live with 5-7 other children in cluster homes with a house mother. The village has 9 cluster homes, an early learning center and gardens. The love of Jesus enables many to develop a sense of purpose and belonging. The educational opportunities give the children options for a future and allow them to dream and set goals.
How old are the children?
The children range in ages from infants to young adults.
Under what circumstances do children come to the Ya Bana Village?
Most of the children in the village have been abandoned or abused. They often come to the village feeling broken, hopeless, and dejected. The trained staff and house mothers work with the children to show them love and provide them with a stable environment where they can begin to heal.
