Village Life Outreach Project drums up hope as it celebrates 20 years
Attendees were transported to a ‘Night on the Serengeti’
Drums echoed to the rhythm of celebration as the Village Life Outreach Project marked two decades of impactful work during its signature “Night on the Serengeti” fundraiser, according to the June issue (Page 39) of Movers & Makers Cincinnati.
Photos from left: Village Life Founder, Chris Lewis, M.D.; Drummers: Baba Charles Miller, master percussionist. Photos/Village Life
Revolution Dance Theatre captivated the audience with their performances. Photo/Village Life
The 20th anniversary gala, held at the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, brought together community members, supporters and advocates for a visually spectacular celebration.
Founded by Christopher Lewis, MD, a passionate physician and humanitarian, the Village Life Outreach Project works tirelessly to fight poverty in underserved communities in both northern Tanzania and Cincinnati. The nonprofit, based out of the UC 1819 Innovation Hub, partners directly with Tanzanian villages and local Cincinnati organizations to increase access to clean water, expand health care access and improve education outcomes.
“This event is not just a celebration of what we’ve accomplished over the last 20 years,” Lewis says, “but it’s a glimpse into the future of our mission. This was a celebration of the lives we’ve touched in Tanzania and the ways in which their stories and strength have shaped our outreach efforts in communities here at home in Cincinnati.”
Photos from Left: Mia Rohrer, Kori Moore, Village Life board member, Nicola Ziady, and Ashley Bleggi; Chris Lewis on stage with Tanzanian physician, Esther Kawira, and family; UC Health CFO Charmain Rochester and husband. Photos/Village Life
Culture, connection and purpose
Performer with Revolution Dance Theatre. Photo/Village Life
“Night on the Serengeti” transformed 21c into a lively African marketplace. Guests were immersed in the colors, sounds and flavors of East Africa – an intentional design to embody the cross-cultural spirit of the organization’s work.
Highlights from the evening included:
Live performances: Guests were captivated by the high-energy beats and powerful percussion of Baba Charles Miller, a master drummer steeped in the rhythms of the African diaspora.
Cultural storytelling: Revolution Dance Theatre featured singers and traditional dancers offering an artistic window into Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage and a compelling narrative celebrating Village Life’s journey.
Tanzanian cuisine: The culinary experience was curated by 21c’s executive chef in collaboration with Afromeals, bringing guests an authentic taste of East Africa with a creative, local twist.
“We were excited to showcase the incredible work of Village Life, both in Tanzania and here at home,” Lewis says. “Our purpose is to build a bridge of understanding and collaboration, creating a space where both local and international communities can learn from each other and grow together.”
This was a celebration of the lives we’ve touched in Tanzania and the ways in which their stories and strength have shaped our outreach efforts in communities here at home in Cincinnati.
Chris Lewis, MD Founder of Village Life Outreach Project. Photo/Village Life
Photos from Left: Carolyn Michelli, Scripps, and guests; Performers of Revolution Dance Theatre; UC Marian Spencer Scholar, Benya Coleman, and mom. Photos/Village Life.
Building a legacy of healing
Joey Fixler, MD, UC College of Medicine grad, made a special delivery, a beautiful and healthy baby just minutes old, at the M. Anne Haire Reproductive Child Health Center. Photo/Village Life.
For Lewis, this milestone event was deeply personal. He has dedicated over 20 years of his life to service, both as a medical professional and a community builder.
One of his most transformative contributions has been the establishment of the M. Anne Haire Reproductive and Child Health Center in Tanzania, a facility designed to address the region’s urgent maternal and infant health challenges.
“Too many mothers and babies are lost during pregnancy, childbirth and the weeks that follow,” Lewis says. “This center was created to rewrite that narrative and provide lifesaving care for generations to come.”
Photos from Left: Andy Filak, Dean Emeritus, UC College of Medicine, with UC physicians, Stewart Wright, MD, Chris Lewis, MD, Joey Fixler, MD, and Erasmus Kamugisha, MD, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania; Village Life UC student delegation rounding with clinicians of Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences; Andy Filak, and UC med students identifying areas of collaboration between UC and Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences. Photo/Village Life
Chris Lewis speaks passionately to attendees about the mission of the Village Life Project. Photo/Village Life.
Lewis spoke to attendees about the healthcare facility in Tanzania. He highlighted how it was constructed using innovative techniques developed through research and implementation by students from the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) and the school’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS).
Through ongoing rotations and training at this facility, UC faculty, students, and medical residents gain invaluable experience by working with complex cases. This hands-on exposure enhances their clinical skills and better prepares them to manage high-risk pregnancies back home.
Photos Left: UC College of Medicine student, Keisha Easley (2nd from left) helps coordinate all UC delegations with Village Life; The February 2025 UC student delegation included UC employees and trainees from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and the Cincinnati Health Department. Photo/Village Life
“Our academic health center partner in Tanzania played a critical role in shaping the facility’s design, programming and clinical services,” Lewis says. “This collaborative, bidirectional exchange has enriched our collective expertise – mirroring the model used by UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub, where strategic partnerships and resource sharing fuel innovation and add value.”
As the evening ended, it was clear that “Night on the Serengeti” was more than just a fundraiser; it was a testament to the power of global unity, the strength of cultural exchange and the unwavering commitment to building a better future for all.
Learn more about the Village Life Outreach Project and how to support its mission.
Featured image at top: May delegates included UC leaders working alongside eight Marian Spencer Scholars in Tanzania at the M. Anne Haire Reproductive and Child Health Center. Photos/Village Life.
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Photos from Left: Marian Spencer Scholars stand with program director Cindy Jones, UC VP of Enrollment Jack Miner, and UC College of Medicine 2025 graduate, Nkiru Ezeakudo; UC Blue Ash, Beth Monnin (far right) with Warren Bennis Leadership Institute Academic Director, Donna Chrobot-Mason (center), stand with project coordinators.
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