KINSHASA,
CONGO
Most of the children
that LTCM supports in Congo are orphaned as a result of the ongoing war and
internal unrest that has plagued the country since 1997. Estimates range from
three to five million deaths as a result of fighting and the related fallout of
hunger and lack of medical care. In addition, AIDS continues to be a
contributing factor to the early deaths of young parents. The results are that
tens of thousands of children have lost not only t
heir
parents, but in many cases, their homes and entire family structure.
The children we are able to assist with food, medical care and education are connected to three main sources of Christian ministries operating in Kinshasa, the capital city of Congo. We established contact with these believers through Leon Mukendi, a Congolese Pastor, and other immigrants and refugees from Congo who have become a part of New City Fellowship in St. Louis.
Church-based orphan care
The
first point of connection is with a group of eight pastors who live and work
throughout Kinshasa. These pastors and their churches are each committed to
caring for orphans as a fundamental expression of the Gospel. Beginning in
2004, we started supporting the cost of elementary education and some basic food
supplies for 25 children from five of these churches. Extended family members or
other caring believers were already providing basic care for these children, but
because of the massive poverty conditions in the country, none of the families
could afford to send these children to the public schools, which requires
payment of tuition fees. As a way to assist these children and their
caregivers, we began sending money to pay their tuition, plus provide a daily
portion of food for breakfast and lunch. The money is administrated through a
trusted, local Congolese believer, who is held accountable by his church. In
turn, we keep up constant communication with the pastors who are receiving the
funds, and a system of financial checks and balances are in place, including
receipts from the local schools, to ensure the highest integrity in the
distribution of the resources.
After eighteen months of successful and mutually encouraging support, we met with additional pastors in July, 2006 and were able to expand our support to 45 orphans from eight congregations, including support for basic medical care. The $25 monthly donation provides tuition, some food, money for a collective medical fund and support for local Congolese administration.
La Grace de Dieu
The
second and third ministry connections to care for destitute children in Congo
are both orphanages, which have direct connection to the group of pastors
already mentioned. 
La
Grace de Dieu is an orphanage
with 40 children under the care of Sister Victorine. This faithful woman of God
was moved in her heart to simply start taking children in off the street, who
were quite literally wandering aimlessly and struggling daily for survival. In
our trips to Congo since 2002 we have s
upplied
food and some medical care for these kids. For the past eighteen months we have
been the main source of food supply for these children. The United Nations gave
assistance for one year, and then stopped their support. Our Congolese
administrator receives funds each month, along with the money for tuition, and
oversees the purchase of food for La Grace de Dieu.
C.E.F.O.R.E.A.
The
other orphanage we work with is
Centre de Formation
et D’Encadrement des Enfants Abandonnes
(Training and Nutritional Center for Abandoned Children). Leon Mukendi and a
group of concerned Christian businessmen and pastors started this ministry
shortly after the outbreak of the war in 1997.
C.E.F.O.R.E.A. provides food,
medical care and education for some 50 children, plus job training for older
teens and care for a large number of widows. Our funds go directly for food
supplies and, in addition, education fees for six children.
