Our holistic Adopt a Village development model lifts communities out of poverty -- one school, one medical clinic, one clean water well at a time.

the adopt a village model.

Thinking holistically means knowing that everyone and everything is part of a wider system. It means understanding that if we’re going to help children break free from poverty, we must first empower their mothers, improve their schools, outfit their health clinics and build their water facilities. It means making change sustainable so that children can realize their rights, get their education and live to their full potential.

That’s what our Adopt a Village development model is all about.

holistic thinking. creating harmony.

The Free The Children team implements the Adopt a Village program in rural and marginalized areas in Kenya, China, India, Sierra Leone, Ecuador and Sri Lanka. Designed to meet the basic needs of developing communities and eliminate the obstacles preventing children from accessing education, Adopt a Village is made up of four pillars crucial to lifting communities from poverty: education, alternative income, health care, and water and sanitation.

Building a healthy community through the Adopt a Village model is like building the framework of a house. Each pillar provides crucial support, without which the whole thing would eventually crumble. The Adopt a Village four pillars for community development are all based on the idea that no problem and no solution stands alone.

adopt a village
at a glance
schools have been built - which now teach over 50,000 students a day.
thousand people have been provided access to clean drinking water thanks to our projects.
thousand women have been equipped to become economically self-sufficient.
on ground since 2002
regions adopted: Beichuan, Nanjia, Yaolong, Caihe, Gufabo, Quanyuan, Wenjia, Menquan
facilities built: direct water piping, toilets, hand-washing stations
on ground since 1999
regions adopted: San Miguel, Amula Cruzada Loma, Gulahuayco, Huacona La Merced
facilities built: direct water piping, toilets, hand-washing stations
on ground since 1998
regions adopted: Lai Gow Village, Gayriawas, Kuliyo ki Baghal
facilities built: community centre, drilling wells, latrines
on ground since 1999
regions adopted: Enelerai, Salabwek, Motony, Oloosiyoi, Emorijoi, Pimbinet, Olonkerin
facilities built: libraries, latrines, kitchens, teachers’ accommodations0
on ground since 2002
regions adopted: Suduku,Yomandu
facilities built: water wells, latrines
on ground since 2004
regions adopted: Sea Street, Pottuvil, Thirukkovil, Palangaturai, Kudapaduwa
assembly hall, library, playground, offices, administrative blocks