In the heart of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again caught in the throes of war. Over the last two months alone, more than 7,000 lives have been lost in the ongoing conflict gripping eastern Congo. This violence is not just a news headline, it’s a daily reality for the children and staff at Grace Orphanage, and for countless families who now find themselves displaced, hungry, and afraid.

At the International Widows and Orphans Fund (iWOF), we are more than witnesses to these tragedies. We are part of the lifeline. And because of your unwavering support, we’re still standing, still delivering hope, still protecting lives, still loving these children through the worst of times.

Why IWOF Exists

IWOF was born from an urgent email sent from a Congolese orphanage director to a friend. In that message was the harrowing story of 38 orphans being taken into hiding in the woods to escape rebel soldiers. That one email lit a fire in the hearts of a few, and that fire became IWOF. Today, we are a completely volunteer-run nonprofit committed to caring for orphans and widows in one of the world’s most dangerous regions to live.

We know we can’t stop the war but we can shield the innocent. We can help them survive, grow, and dream again.

Escaping Danger: A Move to Safety

One of the most immediate threats to the children under our care isn’t just the fighting itself, it’s the instability that trickles down from war into every crevice of daily life. After clashes in Goma, desperate soldiers from the Congolese army returned to Uvira, unpaid and hungry. They began threatening civilians at gunpoint, demanding food and supplies. Our orphanage, located uncomfortably close to the local military base, became a target.

Soldiers began appearing at our gates, banging and shouting for food.

We knew we had to act.

Our staff made the difficult but necessary decision to evacuate the children to a safer location, a secure house closer to the Burundi border. Two security guards stayed behind to watch over the orphanage property, while the children were transported away from the unrest.

Watch the video of the children arriving at the safe house.

Uvira at a Standstill

Life in Uvira has ground to a halt. Government officials have fled the area, leaving almost no services behind. Schools and universities are closed. Banks are shuttered. Basic infrastructure is collapsing. The only lifeline remaining is the border with Burundi, through which some critical supplies still flow from Bujumbura.

In the midst of all this, the children remain remarkably resilient. They have endured what no child should ever have to face — war, displacement, hunger, and fear. And yet, they continue to show strength beyond their years.

Each day, they keep themselves busy. The younger ones help make food packages. The older children, under the guidance of Hosea, our devoted orphanage manager, assist with distributing those packages to families in need. They are not only surviving this crisis; they are helping others survive it too.

Helping the Displaced

As war rages on in Goma and Bukavu, waves of displaced families are fleeing to Uvira. Nearly 1,000 families have arrived, seeking safety and many with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Our team, children and staff alike, have mobilized quickly to provide relief. One recent distribution provided essential food packages to 50 families taking refuge inside a church. For many, this is the only food they’ve received in days.

Your donations make this possible.

It’s difficult to convey what a bag of flour or a bottle of oil means to a mother who hasn’t eaten in three days. It means life. It means hope. It means someone out there, someone like you that still cares.

We are beyond grateful for the support you continue to give. Every donation helps us extend our reach and support the growing needs of these vulnerable families.

Sharing the Story: Help Us Grow Our Voice

We know that we’re not alone in this fight. But awareness is everything. One of the most effective ways to help us is by amplifying our voice.

We’re asking our supporters to help us reach more people by following, liking, and sharing our updates on social media. Every click, comment, and share helps us beat the algorithms that too often bury the voices of small organizations like ours.

Please follow us at:

• Instagram: @congograce
• Facebook: @congograceorphanage

And if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with social media, even just a few hours a week, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for someone who can help us consistently share the story of the remarkable work happening at Grace Orphanage.

Stewarding Your Gifts with Integrity

At IWOF, we make a promise to our donors that every dollar will be stretched for maximum impact. We are 100% volunteer-run, with no salaries, no frills, and minimal overhead. Your gifts go straight to where they’re needed most — to the children, the food, the supplies, and the security that helps protect and nurture them.

In a world where many nonprofits spend heavily on administration and marketing, IWOF stands apart. We are small, but mighty. Lean, but effective.

We couldn’t do any of this without you.

Why Your Support Matters Now More Than Ever

What’s happening in the DRC right now is not just another conflict, it’s a humanitarian crisis with implications that stretch far beyond national borders. The children we care for have already lost parents to war, disease, or poverty. Many were abandoned, some were found in the streets or in the forests. All of them deserve a second chance.

They deserve education. Safety. Nourishment. Love.

They deserve a future.

And with your help, they can have one.

Your support doesn’t just meet physical needs but it sends a message to each child that they are not forgotten, not invisible. That someone across the ocean sees them, values them, and is fighting for their future.

What You Can Do Today

Here are three simple ways you can help today:

1. Donate – Every gift makes a difference. Whether it’s $10 or $1,000, your contribution directly supports food, safety, and care for children in crisis. ? Donate here
2. Share – Help spread the word by sharing this story with your network. Post it on social media, forward it to a friend, or talk about it in your community.
3. Follow Us – Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. Your engagement helps amplify our mission and keep the world aware of what’s happening in the Congo.

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From Crisis to Hope

We believe in redemption, in the power of love and community to transform even the darkest circumstances. In a place where most see despair, we see extraordinary courage. We see brave little girls comforting younger siblings. We see teenage boys handing out food instead of fighting. We see a staff team that refuses to quit.

We see hope.

And we see you — standing with us, shaping this story, and proving that love can reach even the most war-torn corners of the world.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Thank you for helping us protect and provide for the most vulnerable. Together, we are building a brighter future — one child at a time.