Collette Vacations has announced project updates in China and South Africa made possible through funding provided by the company’s global philanthropic initiative, the Collette Foundation.

Dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in the worldwide destinations which Collette explores, in Xian, China, the Collette Foundation, along with other donors, helped to fund the re-building of a larger, more functional Starfish Foster Home. The Collette Foundation specifically funded the new kitchen, according to Allison Villasenor, manager of programs for the Collette Foundation. And in South Africa last month, employees from Collette were on hand to deliver 165 Hippo Rollers to the Kgautswane community on behalf of the Foundation.

Hippo Rollers are barrel-shaped containers that roll along the ground and can hold, transport and store 24 gallons of water. Normally people of the village would transport water in 5 gallon buckets on their heads, often traveling up to 6 miles to get water.

This marked the Collette Foundation’s fourth delivery of Hippo Rollers in Limpopo, South Africa, a few hours drive from Kruger National Park. “To date Collette has given 665 Hippo Rollers to the Kgautswane community,” reports Villasenor.

In speaking of Starfish, Villasenor adds that the home has provided medical care to over 100 babies and has seen the international adoption of over 50.

“They have grown over the years, as they continue their mission to take in orphaned babies in need of medical care and a nurturing environment,” she explains. “Home to 48 babies, Starfish previously operated out of two apartments in Xian, but recently had to move to a more suitable location.”

Collette Vacations, www.collettevacations.com, The Collette Foundation, www.collettefoundation.org