The Orphanage: Family Homes
According to the 2013 study done by the CDC, Center for Disease Control, there are 350,000 orphaned children due to AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. UNAIDS reports that orphans due to AIDS, aged 0-17, range from 160,000 to 700,000. These children are vulnerable to extreme poverty, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
Whispering Eagle Ministries is building homes on a 25 acre campus called Abri De l”Esperance, (AE), which means Hiding Place of Hope. AE is run by Pastor Nkudulu, our director and his wife Mama Esther. Besides running the everyday affairs of AE, Pastor Nkudulu also brings spiritual guidance and direction to the children and staff.
Each home accommodates 8 children with a couple of loving adults as house parents. In the first home, there are two widows looking after the children and in the second and third, married couples. The homes are situated in such a way that they form a small family community so that the children have a sense of belonging.
For their education, AE provides school fees and uniforms.
Currently, the younger children attend a school built by the Dutch WEM on the AE property.
This school affords the children a better education because it run as a private school; offering higher qualified teachers and smaller classes. The school will also be for students from the surrounding community. All of the AE children have health insurance so that they can visit a clinic or doctor as need be. The goal of WEM is to provide each child with skills and training to become successful members of the Congolese society.
It is through caring sponsors and supporters that WEM is able to provide for these orphaned children. If you would like to become involved, here is how you can do it. For $1.17 a day, you can co-sponsor a child and provide love, hope and protection for a precious child in the Congo.