Summer Trip to see the Children!
Papa Christophe and Papa Michael made the trip to Kalehe to visit the children! This June trip had two very important purposes. The first and foremost was to check on the children and make sure they were well and thriving. The second was to assess the situation in the surrounding community after the devastating mudslides that took place in May.
The mudslide occurred on May 4 in the Bushushu and Nyamukubu areas of Kalehe. It was initially thought to have killed hundreds. But, unfortunately, those were only the numbers of bodies that were found. Approximately 5,000 people are missing and assumed to be buried under more than 8 feet of dried mud and boulders. Nearly 5,000 homes, hospitals, buildings and schools are buried. Our children were not physically affected by the mudslide. We are so thankful for their safety, and also mourn with the community at the loss of so many lives.
A special donation was made to Christophe’s Children to help our children’s neighbors living with so much loss. With a portion of that donation, Christophe’s Children provided 1-1/2 tons of rice, 1,300 pounds of bar soap, clothing for 100 elderly women and 85 French & Swahili Bibles to families…so you will see pictures distributing some of these items.
The King of Kalehe, who has been very supportive of Christophe’s Children and all it is doing for the children of Kalehe, was helpful in providing additional security and housing for Michael and Christophe this trip. The King also came to listen to the economic growth presentations and discussions with local leaders and entrepreneurs. West Michigan donations have been made to help impact the economic development of the village where our children live. From the presentations Michael and Christophe heard, funds have been earmarked specifically for groups that had the greatest economic impact. Entrepreneurial women in Kalehe who have the skills and desire to start their own businesses (sewing, baking, etc) but need equipment were given the funds as start up loans. As these women become successful and pay back their loans these monies are available for additional entrepreneurs down the road. The third group is specifically for those victims of the mudslide in Bushushu & Nyamukubu, right next to our village of Kalehe. These funds go directly to leaders in the community to begin farming corn, beans and crops that would be useful to all of the families in Bushushu, Nyamukubu and Kalehe, too.
There was a water supply issue at the Christophe’s Children home, so Michael and Christophe worked with House Dad Espoir and local officials to get that fixed over several days which was a big accomplishment to ensure 56 children have plenty of water!…. but also, as the pictures show below, Christophe and Michael took plenty of time to just play and talk with the children.
Christophe and Michael also had the opportunity to look at the available land right next to the Christophe’s Children property that was being prepared for pig farming. The land has a building with pens for 60 pigs. The additional land also provides the future opportunity to build transitional housing to rent, if our children should need it when they age out of our program at 18. The pictures of the pig pens are shown below.
We are doing repairs and preparing the pens for use by several pigs this fall. This breed of pig reproduces quickly and is very disease resistant. The opportunity to pig farm not only provides a wonderful protein source for our children, but also vocational training and economic stability for the children as they get older. We hope to provide pigs and pork for the Kalehe area, improving conditions for our 56 children and the struggling community around them. If you would like to help with supplies for this project, please donate through our capital fund needs button. We would welcome your help with our new pig farm project!
The next trip to Kalehe is already scheduled for January 2024! But until then, there are so many great things happening! Sewing lessons continue over the summer … school begins September 1 ... pig farm training begins in October/November… laughter, playing, growing, dreaming, and hoping continue. Thanks to you!
Thank you! Merci! Asante!