Welcome to IWof – Where Compassion Takes Action

The International Widows and Orphans Fund (iWof) began with a single email. An orphanage director in eastern DRC wrote to a friend, describing how 38 terrified children had been taken into the forest to hide from rebel soldiers. That plea for help sparked a grassroots movement of volunteers determined to respond with compassion and action.

Over the past 12 years, iWof has grown from a local effort into a Canadian-registered charity that now houses 46 children and feeds over 400 people every week. With no paid staff, salaries, or administrative fees, 100 percent of every donation goes directly to those in need. We believe in showing up where others cannot, and with your help, we can reach even more.

Grace Orphanage - Home Page Icon Size84x550 px

Welcome to Grace Orphanage. Since 2008, we have provided housing, clothing, food, healthcare, and education to 46 children living in one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Welcome to our reading centre. Since 2018, we’ve offered classes three mornings a week for widows and children, along with a healthy meal.

Welcome to our focus on education. We have supported the education of hundreds of children by providing meals, lessons, uniforms, and books. This gives kids the chance to learn, grow, and simply be kids.

Operational Years

Children In Our Care

Projects Completed

Children Fed Weekly

Why We Chose Congo: Serving the Poorest of the Poor

After a 15-year civil war that claimed over 5 million lives and left nearly 2 million children orphaned, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains without basic social services. Every family has experienced loss. Many children are left to survive on the streets, searching for food. Widows often have no source of income, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, including prostitution and sexual violence.

Today, we care for 48 orphans, including 16 young girls who joined us in February 2023. These girls, ages 5 to 12, come from extremely difficult backgrounds. With an estimated 200 more orphans in our immediate neighborhood alone, the need is overwhelming. At Grace Orphanage, our children are deeply loved and supported. In addition to attending a quality school, we provide extra care through a dedicated teacher who works five afternoons a week with children who have learning challenges.

OUR MISSION & VALUES

At iWof and Grace Orphanage, our mission is to care for the most vulnerable by providing love, safety, and opportunity to orphans and widows. We accept children from all tribes and religions without discrimination.

When David and his team began Grace Orphanage, they focused on those in greatest need. Many children arrive with little memory of their families or beliefs, but all are welcomed with love. We remind them that their lives matter and that God has a plan and purpose for each of them.

OUR New Home

In 2017, we purchased two acres of land just outside Uvira, in eastern DRC. Since then, we’ve been building our permanent facility in phases. Today, it provides a safe home for 60 orphans and five dedicated staff members.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Did we mention that iWof is 100% volunteer-run? There are no fees, no salaries. We are a Canadian registered charity powered by a team of dedicated volunteers. Everything you see, from our website and hosting to annual accounting, legal support, and donor communications, is done at no cost.

We even qualified for free Google AdWords to help us reach more supporters. We run as efficiently as possible, keeping overhead near zero. The only costs we can’t control are payment processing fees, but even those are at preferred charity rates.

You Can Also Pay Us Direct Through CanadaHelps.Org

You can also visit the official government-registered donation portal at CanadaHelps.org. While there’s no requirement to go through them, it offers the same benefits we do — a tax receipt and a registered charity number — giving you peace of mind that your hard-earned money is going directly to the people who need it most.

DONATE NOW

Questions? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We have ambitious goals, and your support is crucial in helping us achieve them.

Our efforts are transforming the lives of those born in places where opportunities are scarce.

How can it really be 100% of funds donated?

When a group of passionate volunteer professionals — with careers in banking, law, and accounting — come together, amazing things happen. We created a Canadian registered charity and donate our time and expertise. This includes managing grants, tax filings, incorporations, and ensuring your money is used in the most efficient way possible.

WHERE EXACTLY IN THE CONGO IS THE ORPHANAGE?

The orphanage supported by the International Widows and Orphans Fund (IWOF) is located in the city of Uvria in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the poorest and most dangerous countries in central Africa. Since 2013, IWOF has been assisting this orphanage, which was initiated by two local residents and a small team of volunteers in 2008. The orphanage provides housing, clothing, food, healthcare, and education to 46 children who have been orphaned due to war and poverty.?

Originally, the children and staff reside in a rented home where 3 to 4 children share a bed, and all 35 share three bedrooms and one toilet. Food is prepared without running water, which is hauled by the older children from Lake Tanganyika. While drinking water is purified with tablets, un-sanitized water is used for washing dishes, clothes, and bathing the children.

Through the generosity of our donors, over the past 8 years we have purchased land, secured the site with a security wall, constructed 5 small houses, installed a fresh water well, solar systems, a kitchen and a Learning centre. The children now have electricity and clean, running water for the first time in their lives.

To improve these conditions, IWOF has purchased 2 acres of fertile land and is raising funds to construct a permanent facility that will house 60 orphans, include a well, and support a farm to grow their own food.

The site is even large enough to grow some fresh vegetables for the orphanage For more information about the orphanage and the children, you can visit Grace Orphanage.

Are you interested in volunteering or doing more? Perhaps visiting?

Are you interested in volunteering, getting more involved — or even visiting the project in Congo someday? We’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact. Whether it’s helping on the ground or lending your skills from home, there’s a place for you here.

We’re also actively seeking corporate sponsors who want to support a cause where every dollar truly counts. If you or your company would like to get involved, we’d love to connect.

Planning a visit to the Congo? We can coordinate efforts to facilitate supplies for the orphanage. From organizing a used cellphone drive to collecting feminine hygiene products and other essential items, your support could make a tangible difference in the lives of the women and children we serve.

Let’s work together to bring hope where it’s needed most.

Is this tax deductible and what's Your Charity Number?

IWOF.ca is a 100% volunteer-run Canadian Registered Charity committed to making a direct and meaningful impact in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With zero administrative overhead, every dollar donated goes straight to helping widows and orphans through food, shelter, education, and medical care. The team—made up of professionals in banking, law, and accounting—donates their time and expertise, ensuring the highest level of transparency and efficiency. Even the website, advertising, and travel expenses are covered by volunteers themselves. IWOF exists to bring hope, dignity, and practical support to some of the world’s most vulnerable—because every life matters. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/international-widows-orphans-fund-society/

How can I eTransfer to avoid PayPal fees?

Yes! Why pay PayPal fees when your donation can go directly to those in need? Please email us at info@iwof.ca, and we’ll send you a tax receipt

Our Videos: See the Difference You Make

We believe that we can make a difference in these children's life. Help us.

We understand that making an online donation is a big decision — and it’s important to know your gift is going to the right place. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to connect with you personally and even give you a call from our local Nanaimo, BC, Canada phone numbers.

Even a small monthly contribution can make a massive difference in someone’s life. All politics aside, we go straight to the individuals who need help. And as a registered Canadian charity, your donation is tax-deductible and comes with an official receipt.