As we close another meaningful year at IWOF, we reflect with gratitude on the lives changed through your continued support. Despite ongoing challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, your generosity has helped us expand education, protect children, support displaced families, and prepare young people for the future.

This year-end newsletter highlights the progress, challenges, and hope that continue to shape our mission.

Education: Building a Brighter Future in Uvira

Education remains at the heart of everything we do. This year, we proudly partnered with NY School in Uvira, a facility currently under construction and located less than a 10-minute walk from Grace Orphanage. Even though the school is not yet fully complete, the two lower floors are already serving as active classrooms for about 200 students, including the children from the orphanage.

This partnership reflects our guiding strategy:
“To Partner, To Improve, Everyone Wins.”

Through collaboration, we are ensuring that children in Uvira receive access to a high-quality education. Looking ahead, our plans for the school include:

• A fully stocked library
• A modern computer lab
• A hands-on science lab

These upgrades will help equip students with the skills they need for long-term success.

Education for All: Expanding Access to Learning

This year, Grace Orphanage adopted 50 community children who are being cared for by grandparents or extended family members. These children are also orphans and, without help, would not be able to attend school.

To ensure these children succeed, we are hiring another home teacher who will provide:

• After-school tutoring
• Homework help
• Learning support and encouragement

This expanded reach ensures that more vulnerable children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream beyond their circumstances.

Please join us in improving Education for All at our new school!

Playground for the Kids: A Safe Place to Play

Because the school is still under construction, the grounds currently consist of bare dirt with no play area for younger children. Play is an essential part of childhood development, offering both physical and emotional health benefits.

We are now raising funds to build a safe playground where children can laugh, play, and simply enjoy being kids—something many of them have missed for far too long.

Still No Peace Agreement: Living in Uncertainty

It has now been eight months since the children were relocated to a safe house near the border with Burundi due to ongoing violence in the region. Unfortunately, the long-awaited peace agreement has not yet been signed.

This uncertainty remains difficult for both staff and children. Safety continues to be our top priority as we wait and pray for lasting peace.

But Life Goes On: Strength in Resilience

Despite the hardship, the children show remarkable resilience. Their daily lives include:

• Helping with the feeding program
• Completing homework and household chores
• Playing self-invented games
• Supporting one another as a community

Their strength and joy in the middle of hardship are constant reminders of why this mission matters.

Support for Displaced Families

This year, the girls of Grace Orphanage—Grace, Tereza, Florance, and others—helped distribute much-needed food supplies to 50 displaced families currently living in a church in Uvira.

This emergency response brought immediate relief and demonstrated the power of compassion in action. We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this urgent effort.

Life After School: Training for Employment

We celebrate the achievements of two young men, Kiza and Diye, who have successfully graduated from Don Bosco Trade School as electricians. This is a major milestone in their journey toward independence.

Our staff is now actively working with them to find safe, suitable employment so they can begin building stable, self-sustaining futures.

University: From Despair to Opportunity

Education at IWOFS does not stop at high school. We are proud to currently support six university students pursuing degrees in:

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Community Health
• Communication
• Customs and Excise

Watching these young adults move from trauma and loss to leadership and purpose is both humbling and inspiring.

Thank You for Being Part of Our Mission

To every donor, sponsor, volunteer, and prayer partner: thank you. Your unwavering support continues to bring education, safety, hope, and opportunity to some of the world’s most vulnerable children and families.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we remain committed to building futures, restoring dignity, and creating lasting change together.