Christophe’s Story

Christophe Muganza grew up in the Kalehe Territory on the Southern part of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  He became an orphan when his mother and father were killed in front of him during the Congo War.  

His faith gave him the strength and hope to carry him through the hard times that followed.  He went to school, worked hard, and earned a college degree in law.  

In 2008, Christophe’s life and the lives of his siblings were in danger again. His older brother sent Christophe out of town while he closed down the business he ran in town. Before they could get out of town, tragically, Christophe’s brother and sister did not survive, leaving Christophe’s two nephews (Kenny & Glory) and niece (Mary) in danger. Christophe did not hesitate to adopt them as his own and move them to Uganda where they would be safe.  He immediately began seeking refugee status for himself and his new adopted children.

Christophe received an offer to come to the U.S. but his adopted children were not incuded.  He established a life in Michigan and worked to bring the children to him from there.  Christophe’s fiancé, Benita, stepped in to care for the children in Uganda.  He arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan in December 2013.  During his first five years in the U.S. Christophe learned his 5th language (English), got a good job, took classes at community college, got his driver’s license, got married to Benita (who came to the U.S. in August 2018), bought a car & house and officially became a United States citizen in July 2020. 

In January 2021, Christophe’s adopted middle son, Kenny, was in a serious accident while playing outside with his friends, and ended up in a Ugandan hospital.  Christophe flew there to work with Benita’s sister, who stepped in as the kids’ caregiver, and the doctors to better understand the situation and confirm that Kenny would fully recover; which he is doing.

During this trip Christophe went back to his hometown in Kalehe for the first time since fleeing in 2008.  Christophe met with the King of the territory and learned about the violence that still existed in the outskirts of the area.  Hutu rebels periodically raid homes, steal, rape and murder, then go back into hiding in the forest.  This senseless violence leaves behind hundreds of homeless, orphaned children.  

Christophe saw many orphaned homeless children begging and sleeping in the streets.  He saw their hopelessness and felt called to act.  He gathered donations for these children from the local community (food, clothing, blankets, shoes and other necessities).  He then found an empty food storage building that could be used, at least temporarily, for shelter. Other community members joined in to help him clean and set up this building with the donated items to house the children safely off the streets.  

Next, he bought food supplies.  A big meal of rice and beans, with juice to drink was provided near the center of town to feed the children that would come.  About 50 homeless orphaned children came that day to eat.  More community members came to help gather the children, serve them, sing songs and play games. (A video with them singing that day is on the “Meet the Children” page.) The building Christophe borrowed as a temporary shelter could only house 27 children.  He was only able to invite the 27 most vulnerable children with a promise to find a larger and more permanent solution. 

And, that is how Christophe’s Children was born.  One man with compassion, fueled by faith, bringing hope and a future to forgotten children.  

Knowing there was no way to do this alone, Christophe engaged the Kalehe community & its churches, West Michigan philanthropists and his local church.  In March 1, 2021, all 27 children were provided uniforms and supplies to attend school…a new life of hope. In March of 2022 we broke ground on a permanent home for the children on Christophe’s donated family land, allowing him to fulfill the promise he made to the children a year prior to find a larger and more permanent solution to provide for more children. In July of 2022, this home was completed and the 27 children moved in. In July and August of 2022 we also welcomed 29 more of the most vulnerable and needy orphaned children off of the streets to join our family. Now 56 children are part of Christophe’s Children and are being cared for, educated, loved, and given hope for a future!

Thank you! Asante! Merci!