A 'night on the Serengeti' — in Cincinnati

He didn’t expect that his first patient — a pregnant woman who had walked more than 20 miles to reach care — would die in front of him, hemorrhaging before she made it to a hospital.

That single, searing loss ignited a movement.

Now, two decades later, the initiative he founded — Village Life Outreach Project — is celebrating two decades of service to communities in rural Tanzania. The milestone will be honored on April 12 with a vibrant fundraiser titled “Village Life: Night on the Serengeti,” hosted at Cincinnati’s contemporary 21c Museum Hotel. The evening promises Tanzanian cuisine, art, live performance and, most importantly, a renewed call to sustain a mission that has transformed lives across continents.

Dr. Lewis began Village Life in 2004 with a single question, “How do we do better, together?”

The answer became a nonprofit rooted in a long-term partnership with UC Health and as a UC corpoate partner located in the 1819 Innovation Hub.

Today, Village Life collaborates closely with the Shirati Health, Education, Development (SHED) Foundation and three villages in Tanzania’s Rorya District — Roche, Nyambogo and Burere. Their focus spans four life-sustaining pillars: clean water, access to healthcare, educational support and nutrition.

“We are making an impact in partnership with the communities that we serve,” said Lewis. “The communities are healthier. We’re not seeing the volume of serious illness we used to. The work — addressing water, health care, education and nutrition — is making a difference.”

That difference has drawn more than 800 University of Cincinnati faculty, staff, students, alumni and health professionals from UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to travel to Tanzania over the years. Some came to serve. Many left transformed.

“They learn from Tanzanians,” Lewis said. “Lessons of love, community, empathy and global citizenship. They carry those lessons home, and the impact ripples back through Cincinnati.”

On April 12, that ripple will rise into a full wave of celebration. The “Night on the Serengeti” event at 21c Hotel is designed to be immersive and celebratory — a reflection of both Village Life’s roots and its future.

Guests will be welcomed with a lively happy hour featuring Afro Meals-inspired hors d’oeuvres crafted by the 21c chef, as well as wine tastings that offer a literal taste of Tanzania.

Throughout the evening, attendees are invited to explore 21c’s contemporary art gallery and connect with fellow supporters and community leaders.

But food and fellowship are only the beginning.

In a nod to Tanzanian culture and the organization’s journey, Revolutionary Dance Studio and Lex Nycole will present two original, live performances. The show weaves movement and storytelling into a tribute to Village Life’s history — a narrative stitched with resilience, collaboration and hope.

“The performances honor the rhythms and heritage that inspire our mission,” organizers said. “They remind us of the beauty of Tanzania and the critical work that still lies ahead.”

At its core, Village Life Outreach Project remains steadfast in its mission: to unite communities to promote life, health and education. What began as a response to one woman’s tragic death has become a model of sustainable international partnership.

Its work includes drilling wells and developing water systems in villages where clean water once had to be hauled by hand. Clinics have been supported and supplied. Schools have been bolstered with nutrition programs that keep children learning and living.