ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
The Valentine project is a non-profit organization on a mission to provide a family-like environment focused on whole-child care for the orphaned youth of Tanzania. Through meeting physical, spiritual and emotional needs we seek to redeem as much of the orphan crisis as we can by caring for these treasured sons and daughters of God.
Our children live in a walled compound with around-the-clock care provided primarily by five “mamas.” Three meals a day are provided at the home from our residential kitchen; often supplied by our sustained agricultural projects in and around the home. Each child is provided with educational opportunities suited to their specific needs and goals as they grow. We provide full medical care and support for each of our children.
Our organization is run by a board based out of America, consisting largely of our original founders and other individuals who are passionate about the children of the Valentine project. We partner closely with the Anglican diocese of Dar Es Salaam in our operations and management of the home. Read more about each of our board members and partners below.
We invite you to join us in our mission of championing the least of these, to become all that God has created them to be. Through your donations, prayers and support, we are able to reach more and more children, all of which deserve our utmost efforts.
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
-James 1:27
OUR STORY
What started as a heart-first passion to help, birthed a wild dream that by the grace of God came beautifully and miraculously true…
Dr. Rick Vanderslice first went to Tanzania in 2006 on a medical mission lead by his local Hilton Head Island church. The experience for him was transformational. Rick returned the next year to the same small fishing villages to do more work. This second trip allowed Rick to spend more time and discuss parish issues with Archbishop Valentine Mokiwa. Over many discussions the enormity of need was apparent, however, the need to help orphans seemed to stand out. Rick told Mokiwa that he would do what he could. Upon Rick’s return home, the daily grind resumed, and life went on. The idea of an orphanage stayed in his thoughts as he pondered the quixotic task at hand.
Rick continued to return to Tanzania and hosted many of his Tanzanian friends back in the United States. As Rick and his wife, Joni, interacted more and more with Tanzania and it’s people, they grew their philanthropy in both the medical field (for Rick) and business mentorship (for Joni), as well as a lunch program for Tanzanian school children going hungry. As their passion for this amazing country and beautiful people grew, Rick and Joni (current chair of the board) became certain that an organization to help the vulnerable youth of Tanzania was where God was calling their philanthropic efforts. At a late night post-safari dinner; they had just finished showing many close friends the enamoring country of Tanzania. The group was unanimous that night in their drive to create a children’s home to house the tragic abundance of orphaned youth in Dar Es Salaam. Many of these passionate and dedicated individuals remain on our board today.
Rick said of the project, “It started with encouragement from my wife and clergy. It led to discussions with friends and acquaintances, all who responded enthusiastically. We then formed a board of people determined to take this idea as far as we could. Soon 26 kids will be living in a safe, loving environment. It has been a long journey to reach this point. The list of challenges has proven formidable. The generosity of our donors has been a wonderful thing and the guidance of our friends at The Global Orphan Project a tremendous blessing. We are delighted to be where we are. We have a long way to go. With God’s help, we will one day have more kids receiving the food, clothing, shelter and education that every kid deserves.”
In 2020, Rick passed away after a battle with a rare cancer; the Valentine Project continues to carry on his heart and mission through it’s dedicated board of family and friends, led by Joni Burden (former wife of Dr. Vanderslice), and featuring the many close family and friends who hold this project in deep personal regard. Today the home is nearing 40 children in its care- and counting, many of the toddlers who began in the home are now ambitious teenagers.
We continue to endeavor to grow in excellence as we care for at risk youth in Tanzania, championing them in and for Christ, as has always been our mission.
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OUR TEAM
Sarah & John Cunningham
Sarah (Vanderslice) Cunningham and John Cunningham live in Bluffton, South Carolina, and both serve on the Valentine project board. Sarah, along with her sister Grace, had the immense privilege of growing up with the Valentine Project with her parents as founders. From a young age, the Valentine Project has been a fixture of her family’s life and she continues to aid the board in administrative endeavors, organizing outreach, participating in aid trips and in-country projects. John hails from Monroe, Louisiana, and moved to the Hilton Head area when he married Sarah. John’s background in animal husbandry and the veterinary field makes him a valuable resource for our agricultural and sustainability projects on the Valentine Project compound. Their favorite part of working on the Valentine Project is seeing the children’s personalities grow and change as they thrive over the years- there’s nothing quite like quality time. John and Sarah reside in the Lowcountry with their baby boy, Josiah.
Joni and David Burden
Joni and David Burden both serve on the Valentine project board, with Joni leading the organization as Chairman. Joni led the founding of the Valentine Children’s Home with her late husband Dr. Rick Vanderslice along with several devoted and dedicated colleagues and supporters. Joni was first introduced to Tanzania and the country’s pervasive orphan crisis as she accompanied Rick on one of his medical missions. With hearts burdened by the plight of more than two million children without families or proper care (as of 2020 the number nears three million), and heeding the urging of local clergy, Joni and Rick felt called to start the Valentine Project in 2008. With extensive experience working in the Middle East and Africa when working for Citi Bank, Joni’s husband, David Burden, plays a crucial role providing expert direction and guidance to our onsite staff. By working closely with our in-country managing director and other local partners, David administrates many of the US board’s initiatives. David is the Founder and retired Executive Chairman of Timbers Resorts which develops and operates resorts in numerous locations in the USA as well as in Italy and Mexico. David and Joni reside in the Low Country where Joni works as the Founder/Executive Chairman and Creative Director of J Banks Design; an international commercial and
Anne Hinely
Anne had always hoped that one day she would have the opportunity to travel to Africa for missions work. To be given the chance to experience the culture, meet the people, and most importantly give a helping hand to those who need it. When she was invited to join a team going to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in the summer of 2009, Anne was ecstatic to go, having no idea that she was about to embark on a journey from God. Anne fell in love with the people of Tanzania and couldn’t wait to go back the following summer's to share more of her support. In Anne's words "Each child is so unique and special, we wanted to make sure we were offering them the best environment to gain confidence and find success academically." Since then, Anne have become the educational consultant on the VCH Board of Directors. Along with tracking their academic progress, we also work as a team to promote each child's spiritual, emotional, physical and social growth.
Reverend Greg Kronz
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Greg never had the time or money to even think about traveling. The thought that one day he would be part of the "Missionary" and helping others all over the world never once crossed his mind. But, as he grew he could feel he was destined for a greater cause. So, he traveled his way to South Carolina and through his travels he found his calling with the church. And through god’s blessing, this led him to Bishop Valentine Mokiwa, who visited Hilton Head Island in 2004 for a well needed vacation. Valentine Mokiwa observed Rev. Greg Kronz service and was so inspired by his work he insisted that Greg come to Tanzania, to his Diocese in Dar Es Salaam, to teach his clergy. Fast forward: Greg eventually invited Dr. Rick Vanderslice to lead a "medical team" to the Diocese of Dar Es Salaam, and the following year, Joni, his wonderful wife, joined the team. They were given a vision for the orphaned children of Dar Es Salaam and invited Rev. Greg to be part of their mission. Henceforth the Valentine Project was Born! Rev. Greg Kronz have visited the Valentine Children's Home since its beginning a number of times and have watched the Home flourish, blessing the children, their extended families, the Diocese, and the community. Greg has served as Rector (Pastor) of St. Luke’s on Hilton Head Island from 1992 until his retirement in 2022 after 30 years as Pastor of St. Luke’s. Since that time, he has been blessed in retirement to spend more time with Meredith, and with children and grandchildren. He continues to preach and teach in various places (including St. Luke’s) in the United States, and in other countries, including and especially Tanzania, where he can visit the Valentine Children’s Home. He enjoys his family, playing golf (in reality, most sports: recreational, or spectator!), reading, and playing guitar.
Chris Burden
Chris Burden, President of J. Banks Design Group Inc., leads the company with 20 years of experience in the luxury resort development business. Prior to joining J. Banks Design, Chris most recently served as a Chief Development Officer leading the development of several of the world’s highest-ranked boutique luxury resort properties, frequently alongside J. Banks Design on the interior design for each of these developments. Chris has extensive experience with completing resort development at a very high level of quality, authentic to the destination, while having an excellent understanding of project management, construction, design, engineering, scheduling, budget, and client communication. Chris leverages his development experience to oversee new construction and development initiatives for the Valentine Children’s home.
Kevin Patrick
Kevin is an insurance adjuster and CEO of D'Brook & Company, Inc. Kevin is a father to three wonderful children - Ella, Hake and Jeep. As close friends of the founders of The Valentine Project, Kevin and his wife Darcie embraced their vision to support the orphans in Dar es Salaam and have traveled to Tanzania multiple times to support the Children's Home.
Dina Kriscunis
Dina Kriscunas has established her career working with major corporations within their finance operations. After obtaining an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Dina went through credit training school and became a lender for Mellon Bank serving large industrial companies. She also held positions with Dick Sporting Goods as Corporate Budget Manager and with MMC 20/20 Inc., a boutique healthcare consulting group, leading their financial department. Dina has been involved with the Valentine Project since its inception and has served on the Board of Directors over the past several years managing the financial requirements.
Jenifer Fielding
Jenifer Melin Fielding graduated from Furman University and then attended the Medical University of South Carolina where she earned a Masters Degree in Cardiovascular Perfusion Technology. Jenifer currently owns and operates a medical practice in Hilton Head, SC, called Low Country Perfusion, LLC. She also started JBK Enterprises, a global medical equipment distribution company. Her favorite pastime is international travel with family and friends. She has spent much of her free time traveling to various areas of Africa. Tanzania is the African country where Jenifer has spent the most time volunteering at the Valentine Children’s Home and the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar Es Salaam..
Carmen Mullen
Judge Carmen Mullen and her 15 year old daughter, Tevi, visited the Valentine Children's Home in Tanzania for the first time in June of 2019. Struck by the love, exuberance and curiosity of the children at VCH, their family has joined many others in making VCH a family purpose. With the encouragement of VCH's founders the Mullens are humbled to serve the children of VCH and look forward to many visits and sustained growth of this worthy project. Being a part of VCH has helped their family connect to others not just locally, but afar, giving purpose and meaning to their lives outside of their immediate community.
Grace Chronis
Grace Vanderslice Chronis first visited Dar es Salaam in 2010 on a trip in which her eyes were opened and her life perspective was forever changed. Following in the footprints of her parent’s strong leadership, vision and heart to serve, Grace now serves on the board of directors handling clerical and administrative tasks. Grace graduated from TCU in May 2022 with a degree in Finance with Real Estate and now works as a commercial real estate appraiser. Grace and her husband, Matt, reside in Dallas Texas.
Bishop Jackson
Jackson Sosthenes Jackson is an Anglican Bishop of Diocese of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Born on 14th March 1977. He is married to Frida and God blessed them with three children Janeth, Japheth and Janipher. He was ordained as a deacon in August 2006 and priesthood on 25th January 2007. He completed diploma in Theology at St. Mark’s Theological College Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2007. He graduated Bachelor in Divinity at St. Paul’s University Limuru-Kenya. Also he graduated Master’s in Religious Studies at Trinity School for Ministry Pennsylvania USA 2015. He worked as priest for the Diocese of Zanzibar before he was appointed to a Dean of Students at St. John’s University- St. Mark’s Center. 2015-2018. Currently He is a Diocesan Bishop for the Diocese of Dar es Salaam since he was enthroned on 4th February, 2018. As a Diocesan Bishop apart from administration duties he has been working in many mission work like caring for the needs such as Valentines’s Home Children Center, teaching and preaching the word of God (Discipleship) and Church planting.