Reunite Children with their Families in Congo

We wanted to let you know about one of Kimbilio's latest success stories of reuniting Ann* with her family.

Four months ago a little six year old girl was found living on the streets of Lubumbashi by local social workers. They brought her to Centre Kimbilio and the staff found her a place at the Girls Transit House. Due to her age it was difficult to find out what had happened to her. After months of amazing detective work, the Kimbilio team located her family 45km from Lubumbashi. She had been missing for over a year. The team carried out their assessment and she was able to be reunited with them just a few short weeks ago. The roads are overgrown tracks in that area so they made the long journey via motorbike!
Her mother said, "A woman took her. We looked for her everywhere. We didn't know whether we find her dead or alive but we thank God. Now she is alive. I have nothing to give. A girl is riches. All I can give is my thanks. Thank you."

So thank you - with your support Kimbilio can help so many street-connected children be reunited with their families. 

(*We've changed her name for this update)

Next month, from April 9th through to April 13th, we will be taking part in GlobalGiving's Little by Little Campaign. During this week, GlobalGiving will match donations up to $50 at 50% with $50,000 in matching funds. If you are able, please consider donating or sharing this story with a friend or colleague who also may be able to help. We are focusing on our From Exploitation in Mines to a Hope Filled Future project for this campaign but every little helps with any of our projects. 

Merci Beaucoup!

Christmas message from the Congo Children Trust

2017 has been a full year at CCT. In Congo, we have seen a large increase in the number of street children seeking our support; a number of UK visitors were welcomed at Kimbilio; we were able to build and renovate some of the buildings on our property; we recently held very useful staff training on working with children accused of witchcraft; wide reaching publicity about Kimbilio’s work went out on Sky News, to name but a few of this years activities.

The year also started with unrest in Lubumbashi, focusing on demonstrations against President Kabila, who should have stood down by November 2016. 2017 has ended without elections, however, they are now being promised in December 2018. It appears that the President is trying to hang on to power by whatever means. Any uprisings against him are being quickly and violently extinguished.

We’re looking forward to a new year with all the unknowns and surprises it will hold. We are so thankful to be in a position to help children facing hugely challenging circumstances. We hope that we will be able to continue to make a real difference in the lives of children who come to us for support. We are grateful for the transformation we have been able to see over this past year.

Two boys, former residents at Kimbilio recently returned to visit. They are now back living with their families and Kimbilio is continuing to pay their school fees. They are doing very well at school. They came to say thank you and ask if there is any chance Kimbilio can help them to attend University in the future. It was so encouraging to see them doing so well. We need your support more than ever to support others like them.

Without your generous donations, all of this wouldn't be possible so thank you!

From all of our DR Congo and UK based staff and children we wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas. 

Joyeux Noël!

PS. There's still a few days remaining to donate to GlobalGiving's Year End Campaign (finishes midnight 31st December). We are eligible for extra bonus amounts if we get enough donors which would be an amazing way to begin 2018. Please consider supporting us during this season or sharing our projects with friends and family. Thank you!