Night on the Serengeti

Each September, Village Life hosts supporters and friends to a fundraising gala like no other. This event transports guests to the beautiful world of Tanzania by sharing the sights, sounds, and tastes of African culture. From the menu to the entertainment to a silent auction with authentic African art, the event serves as an opportunity for Village Life to share stories and hope with our Cincinnati community.

Each year, we hear from amazing keynote speakers, from Mr. Lou Gossett Jr. (2014) to Mr. Blair Underwood (2015). Both award winning actors and activists, they captivated attendees with addresses about the importance of service and their love of Africa. Aside from famous keynotes, we also hear from our people on the ground. In 2016 we had two Engineers Without Borders students present, giving our supporters a firsthand account of the work being done.

During the “Rafiki” ceremony, guests hear from Village Life team members about highlights from the year as well as progress and plans for the future. The event also honors esteemed guests, gracious sponsors and dedicated partners for their ongoing support of our mission.

The gala serves as a crucial touchstone for raising funds to support our organization. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it also spreads the story of Village Life – who we are and why we do what we do – to thousands of supporters in Cincinnati and beyond.