Last Updated on July 24, 2025 by Johann Van Rensburg
When we started supporting Grace Orphanage in Congo through our local charity (IWOF), the goal was to send 35 war orphans to school, and that we did. Over time we developed the dream of having our own facility where we would not be relying on a landlord who could evict us without reason. With amazing support from our donors, we purchased land and have been developing our current site over the past 7 years.
Our desire was to expand the orphanage to take even more children off the street. We are so excited to report that the 16 new girls that we brought home in February, have now fully integrated into the family. They are doing well, have made many friends, and have all passed their first year at Grand Lac School. You can read their stories here.
Sponsorships Needed for the New Girls
Each child is given a bed to sleep in, 3 nutritious meals per day, medical care, school fees and supplies, after-school teacher access, and regular outings with the family. This all costs money and we are in need of sponsors to help us cover the ongoing costs of caring for these special children. 11 of the 16 girls still need sponsorship. Please partner with us to change lives. You can Become A Sponsor Today.
Reading Program Progress
The 10 women in our Learning Program have completed the reading as well as business programs. They are working on their plans to start their own businesses. The next step for us will be to review the plans in order to approve a microloan to help finance the start-up. More info to follow.
Life at The Orphanage
In some ways, one cannot imagine caring for 46 kids. On the one hand the pressure of feeding, cleaning, and dealing with sickness, on the other hand, there are always friends (brothers and sisters) around. It truly is a family at Grace Orphanage. As there is no television or phones to occupy their lives, they play games and sing songs, aunties, teenagers, and little ones together. They also work together doing chores, like harvesting sweet potatoes grown on the property, doing laundry, helping prepare meals, etc. From a life without hope to being part of a loving family – that is what this is all about.
From Street Kids to University Students
Dino was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania to an unknown father. Read his story here. He was taken into Grace Orphanage at the age of 7.
He graduated from secondary school in 2023, top of his class, and is enrolled in engineering at the Bujumbura University. His dream is to help improve the infrastructure around his city.
Sadiki was found is a desperate state and taken into Grace Orphanage at the age of 8. Read his story here. That was 11 years ago.
He graduated from secondary school in 2020 and is currently a third-year Business student at the local university. His dream is to help at the orphanage with all business activities.
A different future through kindness.
Nyemya did not know much of her history when Grace Orphanage found her on the street 10 years ago. She lost both parents in a tribal conflict. Read her story here.
Now Nyemya is in her third year studying Community Health and Development and hopes to serve the community around Grace Orphanage when she qualifies.
