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Feeding orphaned victims of war in Democratic Republic of Congo
Our latest project is helping to feed orphaned children in Goma, a city in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is a place that has felt the full horrors of war as recently as February this year, when 3000 were killed over a four-day period. In all, an estimated six million have died nationwide in a civil war that stretches back to 1996.
Yet wars can also produce extraordinary acts of compassion. We were recently alerted to a newly built orphanage run on vegan principles. Thirty-nine orphan children are being cared for, including 8 permanent residents and 31 who attend during the daytime, but cannot yet be housed permanently due to lack of resources. All the children have lost at least one parent, so the orphanage is a lifeline for these deeply traumatised young people.
The initiative is the vision of Joshua Mufabule, who, with support from the US, has fulfilled his dream of providing love and shelter for child victims of the war. Since construction was completed in March 2024, a vegetable garden has also been created where the children help out and are instructed in growing their own food. They also learn about the benefits of an exclusively plant-based diet for animals, their own health and the planet.
Our first donation is providing three meals per week for all the children in the late afternoon. This includes the day residents, who the orphanage was previously unable to feed before they left at the end of the day. Sweet potatoes and beans are the staples of the culturally appropriate dishes provided.
You can watch a video showing the activity during the first week of the meals we have sponsored here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LSPAdI3C5AyirP8udn8GK_3p4AKfz51m/view?usp=drive_web
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