Help Us Build a School Library – The Only One in the City of Uvira
iWOF (International Widows and Orphans Fund) has been involved in supporting Grace Ministries Orphanage, an orphanage of 35 children, in Congo (DRC) for the past two years. During this time, we have been able to send all these children to school, and they are progressing well. However, learning is hampered by the lack of resources. In the city of Uvira, with 500 000 people, there is not a single library. Without books to read, how do you develop reading skills? Reading is the key to education, which will open doors to more learning and eventually to jobs and employment opportunities. Even in the schools, educational supplies are almost non-existent, and children rely on one notebook (paper note book) and a pencil each as their writing and reading resources.
We want to change that. Through the generous donations of many, we are in the process of shipping a 40-foot container filled with supplies, including French children’s books as well as English books and other learning resources. We have also included the building materials, windows and tools to convert the container into a library, which will be housed on Mango Tree School campus (the school our children attend) in the city of Uvira. This container has arrived in the port of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and is awaiting shipping the final leg of the journey, to the city of Uvira in DRC (1447 km).
School Supplies Have to be More than a Pencil and Note Book.
In partnership with Global Outreach in the US, who supports Mango Tree School and a related orphanage in the area, we have raised the funds required to purchase the container and pay the shipping costs. Now that the container has arrived at the port of Dar Es Salaam, we have received the actual cost required for duty and port charges in Tanzania and for trucking to Uvira, Congo. Surprisingly, the cost far exceeds the amount we expected. (Our original projections were based on an amount that Compassionate Resource Warehouse in Canada, who has shipped over 300 containers, felt was reasonably accurate). We have to raise another US$4,000 to cover this last leg of the journey. Please help us provide this much-needed, and eagerly awaited, resource to children who desperately need it in order to ensure a proper education, their way out of poverty.
Energy level high after arriving back home from school.
Mango Tree School
We have started a fundraiser on CanadaHelps.org. To donate, please go to: https://www.canadahelps.org/…/help-build-a-childrens-libra…/ and make a difference.
You can also go to Donate now on our website at www.grace-orphanage.org, and see more about our work at the orphanage.
Children’s Stories:
Bea Hasha
Bea Hasha: Bea is an 11-year-old girl, born in Kalundu village. Bea’s father had 4 wives and was stoned to death by a mob after he was found raping a young girl. Later her mother died of HIV Aids and she was left with one of her father’s wives. She was not wanted in the home and finally left to live on the streets. GRACE MINISTRIES found her living a miserable life on the streets and took her into their care. Bea is now doing grade 6 at primary school. Her vision is to work in a charity organization.
Bobasha Kasosi
Bo is a 10 year old boy, born in Kavinvira. He was born into a world of prostitution where his mother earned money to feed them both. His father is unknown. Bobasha’s mother eventually became mentally ill and he was taken to live with his grandfather who was too old and sick to care for him. He was then taken to GRACE MINISTRIES CHILDREN’S HOME. He is doing grade 5 at primary school and his dream is to become an airline pilot.
To donate please go to our websites listed below: