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.

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.