Grace Ministries Children’s Home is an orphanage in Congo (DRC), providing housing, clothing, food, health care, education and many other needs to 38 orphaned children.
Facts about DRC:
• Africa’s 3rd largest country is home to over 68 million people.
• Since 1998 violent conflict, disease and poverty in the DRC have killed over 5 million men, women, and children—more than any war since World War II.
• DRC is listed by the UN as one of the 50 poorest countries in the world. Average per capita income in 2008 was just $194 vs Canada’s of $39,300.
• Millions of people are denied the chance to earn a living and provide for their families due to continuing instability and poverty.
We believe that Education is the only way out of poverty, and we are committed to raise the next generation of leaders that will transform this country.
Visiting The Orphanage
Nathan, Megan and Johann visited the orphanage in October, each funding their own trip. The children attend Mango Tree School, with class sizes no more than 45 students – area average is 60. The children desperately need a second school uniform each. Washing 38 sets every other day is a chore.
We believe that these children are the future leaders of DRC, and only through education will they be able to fulfill that destiny.
The children were so excited to meet the visitors and never left their sides. Here Megan and Nathan get introduced to Hosea, the Orphanage Manager and the children. Hosea is able to speak broken English. The kids speak Swahili and French.
The kids, with help from a volunteer, composed a welcoming song for us in Swahili. We realised the song was about us when we heard our names. It was very touching!
Dinner time. It is amazing how quiet it gets over dinner. The kids take their positions, sit dead quiet and applaud as the older kids serve the food, a traditional way to say “thank you”. Preparing the food daily for 38 people on a charcoal stove is another story.
The orphanage and surrounding area are still without clean running water. Here Mwanebana and Musa stir in a packet of the P&G water purification powder into a container of lake water. The water is drinkable in 30 minutes. Thank you Day One Response for your partnership.
Thank you again to our donors; without your support, none of this would be possible!
To donate please go to our website listed below: