Congo Border Re-opens

After months of closure due to the Ebola outbreak, the Rwanda–DRC border has finally reopened.

Crossing into Congo felt reminiscent of the COVID era, with health screenings and security protocols at every step. A small inconvenience, considering what the families here have endured.

Once across, we met up with our longtime driver, Erick, and stocked up on food and supplies for the children’s home…. And most importantly on this sunny day - ice cream.

Arriving at the house was the welcome we’ve missed. The feeling was mutual.

The past year has been extraordinarily difficult. Eastern Congo remains under rebel control, and the Ebola outbreak added another layer of hardship to lives already defined by uncertainty. Yet despite everything, these children continue to show a resilience that is difficult to put into words.

Afterwards, we met with a new builder to plan replacing the original unfinished dormitory with a new building on a proper foundation, expanded to accommodate 16 beds for the girls. We’ll also construct new latrines and shower facilities to provide safer, more sanitary living conditions.

As additional funding becomes available, we’ll move on to renovating the main house, rebuilding the boys’ bedroom, and creating a sustainable garden with vegetable beds and a chicken coop to help provide fresh food for the children.

That’s the latest from Congo. Thank you to everyone who continues to make this work possible.