Children Present Complex Problems

The number of orphan and vulnerable children has increased in Lubumbashi. Most of these children are coming from Kasai Province. Due to economic hardships, nearly three-fourths of households of the Kasai people live in poverty. Many families eat only one meal or less each day. Because of poor social conditions, many of these children are victims of ill-treatment. They are accused of witchcraft and blamed for families’ HIV/AIDS misfortune or poverty misfortune. Nevertheless, family members are taking advantage of this to justify their persecution. This has therefore forced them to leave and move to Lubumbashi in inhuman conditions, such as jumping on the freight train’s top (phenomenon called Armstrong). So, they are often electrocuted or carried away by the train’s draft and are dying.

Sammu

These displacements are causing death or many children being isolated from relatives. They have nowhere to live but in open streets and markets. In order to survive, they are occupied day and night with an exhausting combination of small activities. They are working in Nganda or Kabale (Dancing Club/Bar) and washing minerals (Ndandash) which are toxic, without rubber gloves or work gloves. Their lives are at risk. They face social and psychological challenges. For example, in April 2008, two orphaned children (13 year-old boy and 14 year-old girl) wounded themselves critically. They wanted to commit suicide because of life pressures. But, by God’s grace, people who found them twisting, took them to the closest Medical Center for treatments (Lubumbashi TV Mwangaza). Is evident by now, these children suffer and need the community’s hand.

Many initiatives and social programs may protect children who have been thrown out, reduce the incidence of child suicide, pregnancy and illiteracy significantly. We think that the more intervention services a child receives, the more life conditions improve and lower risks, displacements, witchcraft phenomenon, pregnancy, suicide and illiteracy. It is for this very reason we paid school fees, uniforms, pens and exercise books. We shared Christmas gifts. We organized extracurricular activities, such as visits to the Zoo and museum. We paid also close attention to medical care. These could sustain them socially and intellectually.

More initiatives and strategies are necessary to reach a great number of orphaned children in Lubumbashi including underprivileged children from Kasai who have been dropped, rejected from family members and have not been offered a hand of friendship. They need much help to pull themselves above the degrading situation they had been thrown into by sending them to school or skills training center.

This Ministry is for all orphan and vulnerable children who had been so ignored by the community. However, the more we get involved in the variety of dealing with these children, the more we feel there is a lot to learn and to do. A basic minimum care through education and skills training or programs that give income generating initiatives, such as sewing, carpentry and electronics, can mold them to fit into society.

Your love can give them a clear indication of what they are expected to do.

By Njimbu

NYANGA MUKAZA

"My father had a large family of which six lived to grow up, including myself and my brother. I was younger than the sons, so I became, of course, the greatest favourite with my mother. I was always with her, and she used to form my mind. I grew up until I was eight in happiness.

"October, 2002, during the civil war, we were attacked, and my father was killed. When my father died, my mother was carried away.

"One day, as I was watching through the window, I saw three of these fighters come to our place and seize four of my brothers and recruit them to be used as soldiers and be maimed in combat. Myself and my brother, we decided to move out from the place together with other runners.

"I witnessed brutal violence that left me in constant fear. Hope became empty words in my living, but I am happy because I am alive. "

Age: 14 years
School grade: 5 (no education)
Hobbies: I like to listen to music, drawing, and sharing stories.
Vision: It would have created a great deal of opportunity to improve my life if I could have education. I know that with education, development flows.

KITENGA MUTATA

"It's hard to keep going where you feel sad. I have been feeling sad all day long. My father got sick. I was not happy to see him feeling that way. It made me so sad. My mom took him to a medical center, but nothing good came out. Two years later, he died, and they buried him while I was away.

"My mother was accused of having demonic powers. We were thrown out of the home, and we had nowhere else to turn. I walked to the market and restaurant where I helped to set tables, clean up, or sweep with the broom.

"I always say that a better life for me is to be healthy with love and without hunger. But, lack of education worries me too much. "

Age: 14
School grade: 5 (no education)
Hobbies: reading, playing guitar, working in the garden

CHOIR

"We will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in our mouths." Psalm 33:1

Music plays a significant role in a child's Christian life. Choir presentations are contributing tremendously to the reputation of Child Action. Children add their tone to make worship services a vibrant celebration all over for the glory of God and edification of the community.

The Choir welcomes and celebrates the gifts of all people and seeks, within a community of faith, hope and love, to empower them to achieve their potential. We strive to nurture distinct future leaders of the world, in God's love, who are not only school boys but also spiritually oriented.

The Choir encourages children to share their God-given gifts. It creates unity among children from diverse backgrounds and helps them to build lives of faith, hope and love under the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Children at Risk Every Day

EVERY DAY IS FILLED WITH DRAMA AND DIFFICULTY FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

In Kasungami (Labumbashi, DRC), as many as 85% of children cannot go to school, because their families cannot afford tuition, uniforms, or supplies. For those children, survival depends on finding work so that they can earn enough for food. Children transport goods (they are called “katako”), sell food, work in restaurants and homes, load and unload passenger buses, and shine shoes, or they find some sort of temporary job in exchange for food and money. Some get involved in hazardous labor, such as mining or filtering precious stones. Others get into selling alcohol and drugs, or prostitution. Still, many go hungry for days, and malnutrition is widespread, causing serious developmental issues.

Children's survival depends on their ability to find work

This situation mostly affects children who have lost one or both parents due to AIDS. Many orphans find themselves on the streets, which increases the risk of HIV transmission. Girls living on the streets (called “da mwizi”) may trade sex for money. Many are survivors of rape or multiple gang rapes.

Street children live in dirt and total insecurity. They have no access to education or health care. They are often victims of violence—beaten and kicked. Rarely do they see a doctor or get medicine for treatment of diseases such as malaria or parasitic infections.

Street children are at constant risk of abuse

Kansungami orphans and vulnerable children need someone like you who has decided to invest in the life of children in need. Your gift of $30.00/month would help us provide for school fees, clothing and supplies, tutoring, or access to a literacy program outside formal education. You’ll will also be helping us to provide medical and nutritional care, recreation, and spiritual development in a safe environment.

We work through local churches and Christian fellowships. We believe that regular correspondence, financial reports, and good accountability and transparency will assure you that your money is going to the right place and being used well. We’ll do our best as well to help you develop a real connection with the children you support through letters, pictures, and prayers. You can have confidence that you are investing in development of Christian leaders who could help to transform their communities.

Let us love our neighbors as ourselves and as we love God.

What Do We Do?

BIBLE CLUB

Saturday afternoons, boys and girls gather with friends for Bible studies. They enjoy playing games that help them memorize verses from God’s Word. They play review games that remind them of what was taught. They are given opportunities to receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

"Could you please give me water?"


"I can't give you water."

Through this program, children are getting the Christian education they need for their growth. They hear about Jesus and are encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God. They have a flourishing musical group, and they go on weekend outings and holiday trips.

THE GARDEN OF GOOD HOPE

Effective agricultural skills training programs are a key to development. Children are actively involved.

Children at work in the Garden of Good Hope

Empowering children through agricultural activities can be a means of job creation and have potential for income to help meet children’s needs. Vegetable gardens contribute to malnutrition reduction by providing community members with good food.

Watering the garden

Kalebuka Seminar

Rev. Maile, guest speaker at Kalebuka Seminar

On June 10, 2007, Child Action sponsored the Kalebuka Seminar in an effort to develop a common strategy to respond to increasing numbers of orphans and street kids. The seminar brought together 20 volunteers from local churches in Kasungami.

Pastor Maile, the guest speaker, is a member of Youth Ministries of South Africa. Based on his analysis of the on-going work of churches, he declared that church members must resolve to work on programs of care to ensure that our communities are fully informed about the reality of the HIV/AIDS crisis and acting to support and sustain those affected by the epidemic.

“All human beings are created in God’s image,” Pastor Maile said, “and therefore have intrinsic value and dignity.” He stressed that people infected with HIV/AIDS are loved and accepted by God and are full and equal members of the human community. He urged church people to be especially aware and sensitive to the special needs and concerns of those who are most ill so that “those who have to die will die in peace, fully aware that they are leaving behind a caring world for their orphaned children.”

“To leave such children unassisted,” he said, “is a moral dilemma, and there are also serious crime and public health risks to the community and society.”

“We must move beyond yourselves to serve those who need so much,” he pleaded.

Bro. Njimbu of Child Action and Rev. Maile visiting with children at Kasungami

Rev. Maile's Bible gifts to Kasungami Child Action members


The team; their mission: Proverbs 22:6