When Mama Jeanne arrived in Goma three years ago, she desperately sought help for the orphaned children of her hometown, Masisi.

Sixty children had accompanied her, fleeing the violence spreading throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo, and together they established a home. Since then, Mama Jeanne has taken in 154 orphans. The children receive nutritional food, loving care, and schooling. The older students take sewing classes to learn a trade that will help them in the future.

Fighting between the Congolese Army and rival militias escalated last December, bringing a flood of new refugees into the city. Food prices skyrocketed, making it difficult for Mama Jeanne to purchase enough food for the center’s children.

The children hadn’t eaten anything at all on the day a team from Samaritan’s Purse arrived. Our staff quickly purchased a truckload of corn flour, beans, oil, salt, and rice. The center’s staff immediately went to work boiling water and preparing food for the children.

Our team noticed that the gutters on the roof were broken and could no longer deposit valuable rainwater in large storage tanks. We contracted with engineers to fix the drainage system and bought a new tank to store clean rainwater for general use. Five new sewing machines also were purchased to increase the center’s training capacity for older children.

Helping care for the orphans is just one way Samaritan's Purse is trying to bring stability to the area. More than 250,000 people were displaced during the recent fighting. Many sought refuge in Goma, where Samaritan’s Purse is partnering with Christian organizations like Mama Jeanne’s.

Working through local churches, Samaritan’s Purse distributed 200 metric tons of food to more than 43,000 people who have been living under tarps in church compounds, schools, or other facilities. Kitchen kits and blankets also were distributed.

As we partner with churches and local believers that are reaching out in Jesus’ Name to their own people, it strengthens their standing in the community and provides a platform to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40, NIV).

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Samaritan's Purse , Democratic Republic of the Congo , Children's Ministry , Caring for Orphans