The Village Link

03/05/2026

**Construction Update: Day 5 – RoseAnn Rotandaro Memorial School**

Progress is moving steadily in Gerehun.

As of Day 5, the initial land clearing is now complete, and the site for the RoseAnn Rotandaro Center and Memorial School is fully prepared. The foundation layout has been finalized, and foundation excavation is currently underway.

At the same time, brick manufacturing has begun. Many of the bricks used to build the classrooms are now being produced locally, helping support the community as the project moves forward.

Work has also started on digging the water well, which will provide a reliable source of clean water for the school and the surrounding community.

Every day brings us closer to creating a permanent home for the preschool that began in Gerehun in 2015. We are excited to see RoseAnn’s vision continue to take shape on the ground.

More updates to come as construction progresses.

03/02/2026

RoseAnn Rotandaro Memorial School, the RoseAnn Rotandaro Center

03/02/2026

Today, we celebrate our founder, RoseAnn Rotandaro.

We celebrate her courage, her vision, and the countless lives she touched, from her family and friends to the current board of The Village Link, and to every child and family in Ngolu, Gerehun, surrounding villages, Bo District, Southern Region, Sierra Leone.

RoseAnn believed in people. She believed in education. She believed in entrepreneurship and that real change happens when you stay committed.

Our preschool in Gerehun was started in 2015 with that belief at its core. For more than ten years, classes have been held in a shared community building. It wasn’t fancy, but it was filled with eager young learners, dedicated teachers, and hope. RoseAnn was proud of that beginning, but she always dreamed bigger.

On March 1, 2026, the anniversary of her passing, we held an official ceremony in Gerehun to honor her life and legacy. On March 3rd, construction will officially begin on a permanent home for her vision.

We are building the RoseAnn Rotandaro Memorial School, the RoseAnn Rotandaro Center

The school will sit on one acre of land purchased outright. This space will include:

* A three-classroom preschool
* A community center
* A soccer pitch
* A playground for the children
* A toilet facility
* A water well
* A garden and farm

This will be more than a school. It will be a place where children learn, families gather, food is grown, clean water is available, and the whole community can thrive.

By May 2026, our preschool students will move into this new building. What began in 2015 in a borrowed space will become a permanent foundation for generations to come.

RoseAnn’s life was defined by service. From her time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone to her work in education, law, and philanthropy, she carried a fearless spirit and a deep love for people. Founding The Village Link was her way of giving back to a country and community that had given so much to her.

Today, we thank her.

We thank her for her boldness.
We thank her for her compassion.
We thank her for the foundation she laid.

Her legacy lives on in Gerehun. It lives on in every child who will walk into those classrooms. It lives on in the board members who continue her work. And it lives on in every supporter who, as she did, believes that education changes everything.

RoseAnn’s dream is becoming a reality. Colleen Rossignol Tamba Lamin

03/13/2025

Lunchtime is more than just a meal—it’s a time for connection, laughter, and learning. At our preschool in Gerehun, supported by TVL, we serve over 30 children each day, ensuring they receive the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.Watch as our little learners enjoy their meal together, building healthy habits and friendships in a caring environment.Your support makes this possible. Thank you for being part of our mission to provide quality early education in the southern region!

08/30/2022

We are just a few weeks away from our joint fundraiser with Arpin International Group and Global Institute for Organizational Transformation! Register today to grab your tee time for this golf tournament in beautiful Jamestown, RI!

07/24/2022

We are gearing up again for a fun and interactive fundraiser coming this fall! Whether your in Rhode Island or somewhere else in the world we invite you to participate and show your support for and the other benefiting nonprofits Global Institute for Organizational Transformation Honey For Haiti. Thank you Arpin Strong and Arpin International Group for supporting our development initiatives in Sierra Leone and across the globe 🌍

😎 Let’s see you in action! In-person and virtual golfers, sponsors, and volunteers, you are all welcome!
👉🏻 Register here 👉🏻 www.arpin-strong.org

07/24/2022

Water is something we all need to survive. and a means to a better life.

1️⃣ In the first video you will see the women of Mbundurbu celebrating their clean filtered water because of how this simple innovation has changed their lives—they use this water to provide clean drinking water to their families; it’s a source of water for their gardens which they use to keep their families healthy; and a source of income selling vegetables at the weekly market. The simple act of installing a $1500 clean water system has provided this community with means for income and better health.

2️⃣ In the last two videos the girls at our preschool in Gerihun are excited to fetch clean water next to their school. They are trained on how to use the filters so they too can enjoy clean filtered water while learning. This is not just a way to improve their health but will improve education outcomes by preventing waterborne diseases and loss of school time due to illness. They are hydrated and more alert while learning too! ❤️ 💦

07/24/2022

06/13/2022

Thank you, to those who came out to support our nonprofit and others.

We are incredibly proud of everyone who helped support our Second Annual Arpin Strong Run and Walk event held over the Memorial Day weekend. This year we held an in-person event in Rhode Island, USA on 28 May. In addition, we had virtual participants hailing from several US states as well as from the UK, Germany, Serbia, and China! With professional marathon runner Sean Young, international teams, families with their pets, etc., we can say that our was something to remember!
Having fantastic partners Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses, sponsors, volunteers, and runners around us made the whole event very pleasant, cheerful, and exciting! 26 virtual participants and 40 in-person runners along with other big-hearted people helped us to raise funds for Global Institute For Transformation - GIFT and The Village Link .
In case you missed this one, keep checking our posts, as we are preparing something waaaay bigger very soon!

06/06/2022

We had so much fun running and walking in the Arpin International Group over the memorial weekend in . Thanks to all those who participated in person and virtually across the world. Check out a recap of our event below!

Stay tuned for details on our Fall Golf Fundraising Tournament ⛳️

Honey For Haiti Global Institute for Organizational Transformation

The 2022 Arpin-Strong 5K road race was a tremendous success and we want to thank are great partner Cardi's Furniture for all their support.

05/26/2022

Two more days to go! 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️ 🏃🏽

Join us and our global partners Honey For Haiti and Global Institute for Organizational Transformation as we run for a cause in Arpin International Group 5k. All are welcome and you can participate anywhere in the world.

Register today👇🏼🌍

🏃🏻 Let's speed up and follow the leader 👉🏻 Sean Young 🥇
⏱ There is ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT to register for Arpin Strong Weekend Event!
🙌🏻 Run, walk, bring your kids or your dog - we want everyone to join!
🌍 All money goes towards Global Institute For Transformation - GIFT and The Village Link!
👉🏻 Join in virtually or in-person here: http://arpin-strong.org/arpin-strong-5k-charity-contest/
🤩 For those who need extra motivation: profiles who SHARE THIS POST and have HIGH engagement will be rewarded with Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses $100 GIFT CARD!