ASHA SHABANI is 7 years old. She was born in Kipupu to an unknown father. Two months after her birth, her mother got sick with no real diagnosis for almost six years. Both Asha and her Mom survived on one meal per day from a generous neighbor who was also struggling. When the neighbor could not support them anymore, Asha’s Mom passed away. Fortunately, Asha was kept alive by another family in the Rugenge village. This is where Grace Ministries staff found her. She is now well fed and safe at Grace Orphanage.
CLARISSE MULASI is 6 years old. She was born on the streets of Uvira, Father unknown. Her mother has lived on the street since she was 15. She gave birth to Clarissa at the age of 16. When Clarissa was 5 years old, her mother left her in a prayer room under the care of a single old man. Grace Orphanage staff found him and Clarisse struggling to survive. Clarisse joined the Grace family and will never go hungry again.
ELENA BIRIZE was born in Kala village. She is 10 years old. In 2019 when she was 7 years old, Kala village was washed away by a flood. She lost both parents together with her 2 brothers. Elena was found alive, washed onto the beach of Nyangara by a rescue team. She was taken to hospital by Ebombo, a medical volunteer. After her recovery, he brought her to live with him in his mud house. A year later, Ebombo’s house also collapsed with the floods during the heavy rain. Grace Orphanage staff found Elena living with Ebombo under a piece of plastic sheet, sleeping on the ground. She will be given her own warm bed at Grace Orphanage.
FLORANCE REHEMA was born in Kasenga town. She has a dark, and somewhat unknown life history. She lived with a man that was known as a witch doctor in Rugenge village. Her mother is unknown. When this man died, Florence lived on Mulongwe street where she begged for food in order to survive. GRACE Orphanage staff found Florance on the street, ill and malnourished and took her to a clinic. She was given treatment and will join the Grace family in a loving home where she will be safe and cared for.
JEANNE MANENO is 7 years old. She was born in Swima village, one of 10 children. Her mom was accused of sorcery, and she left her children to escape the danger of being stoned by the villagers. A small church from the neighboring village had compassion on the children and took them into separate families. Grace orphanage team heard of this painful story and went to visit the kids. They found Jeanne was living in very poor conditions. She joined the Grace family in a safe, loving home.
TOYI KELVINE MASEMO is 9 years old. She was born in Luvunge village. At the age of 3, both her parents drowned on the same day when a hippopotamus tipped the small boat that they were in while crossing Mwaba, a natural pond in their farming area. Toyi was left under the care of an older male relative who was forcing her to do hard labor. When Grace Ministries staff heard about her situation, they visited her home and found her in miserable living conditions. The staff appealed to her grandfather and she was taken into Grace Orphanage. She is now safe, just being a young girl and her dream is to become a businesswoman.
TEREZA MWAVUWA is 10 years old. She was born in Nakatala village. At the age of seven, her father left her mother as she did not conceive a second child for so many years. Her mother consulted a witch doctor, who gave her a toxic traditional medicine that caused her death. Her father re-married but found out a year into the marriage that they both were HIV positive. Her father left the village and was never seen again. Tereza was abandoned by her stepmom and was found by staff on Mulongwe street, all on her own. She is now safe at Grace orphanage, and would like to serve in the orphanage one day.
MARIAMU DESIRE was born in Burundi. She is 9 years old. Both her parents are originally from Burundi. At 4 years old, Mariamu’s Mom passed away and she was left in the care of one of her father’s other wives. She was badly mistreated for several years. At the age of 8, she ran away from home. She crossed the Burundi border into Congo by herself. She was living on the Kiliba Streets in Congo. Grace Orphanage staff found her under a health care facility’s veranda. She joined the Grace family and wants to become a nurse.
MARIE BITACHANA is 8. She was born in Katana, and grew up in a violent home. Her mother was killed by her father, and he, in turn, was stoned to death by an angry mob. Marie was left with her 10 year old sister. Malilo, our orphanage teacher found Marie and her sister living under the care of a very poor widow where they were surviving on one meal a day. Her dream is to be a business woman.
RITHA ALINE is 8 years old. She does not know her parents as she was abandoned by her mother at birth. Our enquiries confirm that her father died from HIV and her mother was HIV positive. Ritha was left under the care of a neighbor, but was very badly treated and abused. She was taken into the care of Grace Orphanage and will be safe. She loves sowing and want to make dresses one day.
SUMAIYA WAKATI is 8 years old. Her mom, a single parent, left her when she was 4 years old to move to the mines, working as a prostitute to make a living. In 2020 Sumaiya’s mother’s body was found next to the Embe river. Grace Orphanage staff found Sumaiya as a forced child laborer in a restaurant in a remote area of Katongo. She joined the Grace family to live safely and received an education.
REHEMA BYOSAA is 8 years old. She was born during a time of tribal conflict between Bembe and Buyu tribes. Her Mom was kidnapped and raped, and Rehema was conceived. When Rehema was 6 years old, her mom decided to return to her home village. She was not accepted by Bembe village’s elders, because she had a daughter whose father was from Buyu tribe. She fled and later died of an infection. Grace Orphanage staff found Byosaa on the street of Baraka town. She is now safe in a loving home at Grace Orphanage. Her dream is to become a medical doctor.
JALIUA MPENDACHEKO was born in Kinika Village and is 9 years old. At 6 years old, Jaliya’s whole family including her father, mother, and 4 brothers died on the same day after eating a meal of poisoned mushrooms. Jaliya and her youngest brother were in critical condition and were taken to a nearby primitive healthcare centre where they were treated. Her brother did not make it. Grace Orphanage staff found Jaliya living in miserable conditions with an elderly aunt. Her dream is to become a commercial driver.
APOLINA MSEMA is 7 years old and was born in Itombwe village. A long standing tribal conflict in the Fizi district led to thousands of families leaving their homes to escape the violence. At 4 years old, during an attack, Apolina lost her biological family and found herself running away with a family she did not know. They brought her to Uvira city where Grace Orphanage staff found her living in poverty, surviving on one meal per day. Her dream is to become a hotel chef.
ZAWADI AMANI was born in Karigo village and is 7 years old. Her father was a fisherman who drowned during a stormy night fishing on lake Tanganyika. When Zawadi was 6 years old, her mom passed away due to an infection. Grace Orphanage staff found Zawadi living with a single lady who wanted to abandon her on the street as she was about to get married. She is now safe at Grace Orphanage. Zawadi’s dream is to drive big busses.
VERONIQUE FURAHA was born in Rugembe village and is 9 years old. At 6 years old when Veronique was at her aunt for Easter holiday, her mom and her 2 sisters were victims of a mud slide during a night of heavy rain in the Mulongwe area. Their bodies were never found. She lived with her aunt, who passed away from HIV. In the meantime, her father had joined an armed rebel group and she had nowhere to go. Grace Orphanage staff found Veronique on the streets of Kasenga and brought her home. Her dream is to own her own business.
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