An Amazing True Story

They were originally child refugees from Goma, in an earlier outbreak of war; they had lost their parents. In Kinshasa they struggled to survive. Raìssa, the oldest, brought up the younger ones. John, a very bright little boy, made the most of the education she managed to provide, and in 2024 a door opened for him to come to the USA to study.

    Getting to Omaha was its own wild adventure. His living arrangements fell through… but a miracle brought him a new family!

On the plane to Omaha, John talked with the kind young woman next to him, Erin. When he was suddenly homeless, her  caring parents  welcomed him in their home. Now John is thrilled to be a student at the University of Nebraska. Here Jeff, John, and Sarah are happily sporting their new Perdue shirts on a family visit to Erin at her new job.

Elsie met John, Sarah, and Jeff at a church conference, and heard their amazing story, and learned about his sister Raìssa, who was destitute after the recent floods. The next thing was to introduce her to Maman Monique, and by the generosity of Jeff and Sarah, Raìssa now has the means to rent a little place to live and restart her small business. Miracles still happen and we give thanks!!!

Thank You, Preston’s and Friends!

What a lovely time together in Virginia, hosted by the Preston’s and friends. Catch a glimpse of the fun here, with special thanks to our wonderful volunteers – Preparing and serving delicious goodies, providing the gift of special music, and gathering to make this happy family affair a success.

THANK YOU, ALL!

It was very moving to see the faces touched by the stories of suffering and courage of our friends in Congo.

Besides stories, we enjoyed a Congo market… and someone adopted a new baby! You know that FEBA dolly is happy to have a loving home, where she joins two other sister dollies, and we all smile together!

School Begins at CCS!

Despite the war which continues to tear apart lives, at Community Charity School (CCS) there are bright spirits, thanks to your generosity. A few weeks ago, food was distributed: a bag of rice and beans for the orphans to take home to their host families.

In preparation for the new school year, you have helped children get some supplies, principally pencils or pens and “cahiers” (paper-back notebooks) which range from about 20 folded sheets = 40 pages up to 50 sheets= 100 pages.

In a land where books and paper are costly and where much of education is communicated orally, students’ primary way to study is to copy what the teacher says or writes on a board (sometimes just a piece of painted wood), so it is essential that each student have means to record what they are learning.

But now it is time for school to begin, and students are excited; this is their path to a better future.

    They eagerly gather outside, before entering the classes to begin the school year.

School in Kinshasa

It is expensive to get an education. Even though primary school is now tuition-free, everyone must have a uniform and supplies. FEBA assists 2 children from each family. Making the uniforms means buying cloth and sewing, purchasing the cahiers and pens is an even bigger effort. This year FEBA is supporting 180 students, about 100 of whom are in secondary school, which means more cahiers with each advancing class.

In addition, there are quite a few new young women in the vocational programs, even as the last class is preparing for graduation next month. This is both a joy and a challenge to buy all the necessary supplies.

Struggles and Yet

This has been one of the most difficult years in a long time for our partners. Between the war and the floods, life has been very precarious. Illnesses have taken a heavy toll: cholera in Kinshasa, now ebola in the Kasai, and all kinds of troubles that come with contaminated water. There have been deaths. Yet our partners continue to do what they can, and to rejoice in small miracles.

The story of Raìssa on the previous page is one. Mujinga Annie’s story is another. This smiling woman has just recovered from TB, thanks to help with medications. Several others have had expensive hospital stays but are now home. We are thankful!