The Hands and the Heart of Christ Orphanage Home

Country: Congo, (Democratic Republic)
Advance #3022085 DONATE NOW
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Project Information

Caring for vulnerable children and the needy within the orphanage through skill training

Describe the need affecting community

We have identified 3 issues affecting the community. First, many vulnerable children have been abandoned by their families. Hence, they live on the streets and do some odd jobs in order to survive. Others have lost their parents or guardians and have nowhere to go. These children are vulnerable in the sense that there is a phenomenon in Kinshasa of Gang groups called “ Kulunas”. They steal rape and sometimes kill those who resist them. The leaders of these group recruit mainly children living in very harsh conditions. The second issue affecting the community is the school drop out of young girls due to early or child pregnancy. These young mothers are forced to drop out of school in order to care for their children. In such a harsh economy such as the one in the D.R. Congo, many attempt to abort and sometimes lose their lives. Others simply abandon their children after they give birth. And there are those who get into prostitution and others join the kulunas. The third one is food insecurity. In Kinshasa food is quite expensive because of the high demand. The majority of the population cannot afford 3 meals a day. Access to quality food is practically impossible to many people living in the community.

How will this Advance project help to address the need?

Once we acquire all the necessary equipment for our training center, we will improve our training quality and provide the technology that is needed to enhance productivity. We are also planning to improve the facilities and machinery at the farm in order to increase our production. We will improve our facilities for the orphanage in order to provide a conducive environment for the orphans.

Describe the primary goal of the project

The Heart and Hands of Christ aim is to offer support to vulnerable children, school dropout both young girls, boys, and widows so as to combat the injustice that they are subject to in their respective communities. In the long run we expect to reduce the number of street kids by 25 per cent in the community. We will achieve this through a simple strategy which comprises 4 steps. The first step is to reach out daily to the kids and invite them for a meal once every week. This will allow us to get close to them and have time to interact. Secondly, we will provide skill training, literacy programs and discipleship. Thirdly, we will invite them to join our homes for those who do not have any other place to go. But for those who have, we will work closely with their families to encourage them to take back their children. Finally, we will advocate for the children rights through the leadership of the ECC.

Describe the change you would like to see in the community as a result of this Advance project

We want to see people work and raise an income that will allow them to sustain their families. We want to raise the literacy rate of the children and teenagers in the community. We want to see people afford at least 3 meals a day. Finally, we want to see our young girls and boys progressing with their education and have a professional career to reach their self-actualization.

Contact Information

Marie José Mavinga,
SEPRODDIA Training and Development Center Director
jmavinga@gmail.com
+243 999 929 201