WATER & ELECTRICITY || Both these necessities are scarce due to our remote location. Our children spend several hours each day without electricity or water. When we do get water in, they have to carry small buckets to their houses one at a time.
To help with the water shortage, a borehole (a type of well) was installed. While it offered some relief, it hasn’t been enough. With 85 children and a few dozen staff relying on it daily, the borehole simply can’t meet the needs of the entire village.
EDUCATION || In the local schools, our children are in classes with 60-80 others and drug use is rampant. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. We cannot rescue children, give them hope, and then send them back into the very townships they came from due to a lack of good education and opportunity.
We started a school onsite called Lilyvale School to provide consistent, quality education for the children at Lily of the Valley. However, getting qualified teachers to this remote location proved incredibly difficult. The lack of reliable electricity and internet made teaching and learning even harder. On top of these challenges, limited funding made it impossible to sustain the program long-term. For these reasons, we were forced to close the school.
Security || Thankfully, our full-time security and electric fencing have kept the children safe - for now. But the growing danger is taking a serious toll. Staff members have been hijacked at gunpoint in Lily vehicles and injured, though we’re grateful no children were present during any of those incidents. We've also experienced break-ins and horrific hostage situations involving staff and volunteers on the top land houses, just outside Lily’s fence. In a recent incident, a stray bullet from a nearby gunfight pierced the wall of the children’s homework room. A chilling reminder that this location is no longer safe.
We have full-time armed guards on the property and invested heavily in an electric fence to help keep our children and staff safe. While these measures have been essential, children must travel through these dangerous areas to attend school, and staff commute in and out under constant risk. Sadly, due to these safety issues, we’ve had to stop all volunteer programs, both local and international, which were once a vital part of our community.
LoVE USA’s Board met with Lily’s Board and management and made the decision to fund a feasibility study to determine whether relocation was even possible. The study confirmed that, within government guidelines, relocation could move forward. During this process, an incredible piece of land was identified in a secure area called Merrivale, located between Pietermaritzburg and Howick in KwaZulu-Natal.
become a partner
Becoming a partner in the “It Takes a Village” Relocation Campaign is your opportunity to directly impact the lives of vulnerable children in South Africa. We offer two powerful ways to get involved:
MONTHLY Partner
Make a recurring commitment to help us sustainably fund the relocation.
Commitment: Give monthly for two years
Giving Methods: Auto-debit via credit card, debit card, or ACH; or mail checks to LoVE.
Start Date: As soon as possible upon signup
Why It Matters: Monthly partners help us budget and move forward with confidence, knowing we have reliable, ongoing support to meet each phase of the project.
project Partner
Project partners take on one of our five sponsorship tiers, choosing a specific area of impact to fund or champion through fundraising.
Options to Fulfill Your Commitment:
Donate the full amount now
Pledge to give the full amount over 6-18 months
Commit to fundraise the full amount through your business, school or church.
Donations can be made as funds are raised, with support for setting and reaching goals. You’ll have up to two years to fulfill your commitment through flexible, personalized milestones.
Why It Matters: Your project-level commitment allows us to begin building, furnish homes, and create infrastructure without delay. These commitments are essential for planning timelines and construction. Your generosity enables us to take the next faithful step.
you can join us as an individual or get your network, church, school or business involved!
CHURCHES
You can involve your church in powerful ways: partnering with families in your congregation, building a network of supportive small business owners, hosting missions events, activating small groups, and running unforgettable youth fundraisers.
schools
You can involve your school in meaningful ways: engaging student clubs and classrooms, facilitating connections between students and children at Lily of the Valley, partnering with parents, collaborating with local businesses, organizing themed spirit days, and leading creative, student-driven fundraisers.
businesses
You can make a lasting impact by rallying your team around a cause, hosting fundraising challenges, offering in-kind services, sharing the mission online, and inviting your customers and clients to join the movement.
individuals
You can partner with us by fundraising alongside family and friends through social media, events, or crowdfunding, with ideas, tools, and support every step of the way.