Navigation

Orphanage shelters children in war-torn East Congo

By Kathy L. GilbertJan. 11, 2016 | GOMA, Congo (UMNS)
Children share a meal at the United Methodist orphanage in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Children share a meal at the United Methodist orphanage in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

United Methodist shelter in Goma, Congo, feeds up to 30 children a day and provides homes for 11.

*Click on the i in the upper left-hand corner above the slideshow to display caption information. To turn captions off, simply click on the caption.
View slideshow full screen»

 

“Maman Olela” stands in the doorway of the girl’s house and looks out onto the large jagged rocks behind the shelter.

“If you climb over those you will fall into the airport,” she said.

Okako Okenge Adolphine, lovingly known as “Maman Olela,” knows what a temptation climbing on large rocks can be for the young children in her charge at the Goma Orphanage. She keeps them off both the rocks and the streets in this community where many children have no place to call home.

Decades-long wars have left many widows and orphans in this gritty region of the United Methodist Kivu Conference. The United Nations peacekeeping forces have been working to bring peace in this area since 1993.

How you can help

Donate to the orphanage through Advance #3021399.

The Advance is an official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated, second-mile giving. Through The Advance, United Methodist conferences, districts, local churches and organizations, as well as individuals and families, may choose to support mission programs or mission personnel with their financial gifts. Each Advance project has been vetted and approved by Global Ministries and Advance staff.

Maman Olela is a tall, imposing woman. She oversees the orphanage, which provides shelter for six girls and five boys ranging in age from 7 to 18. The orphanage feeds those children and up to 30 more children one meal a day.

“This is the fruits of the faith, this orphanage,” Okako said. She is assisted by Josephine Efulantu and cooks Deborha Ange and Marie Ochinga.

Poline Yema, 18, has grown up in the orphanage and will graduate from secondary school later this year.

Two wooden shelters house the boys and girls. There is no running water or electricity. The girl’s dorm is built on pilings, but the boy’s dorm sits on the mud-packed ground. Water seeps through the wood planks and often floods their shelter.

Maman Olela is praying for additional funds to improve the shelters and feed more children in the community.

Gilbert is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Global Health
Members of Bartee Pannoh United Methodist Church and community members celebrate during the dedication of a water well in the Karquekpo community in Sinoe County, Liberia. As part of its most recent outreach, the Liberia Conference provided 25 water wells, 15 gender-sensitive toilets and poly tanks to harvest rain water in rural communities where the church is present. Photo courtesy of the United Methodist Human Rights Monitor.

Church expands access to clean water in Liberia
Through its Water for Life initiative, the Liberia Conference is installing wells and sanitation facilities throughout the country to help reduce waterborne diseases and improve safety and equity for women and girls.
Bishops
Bishops Gaspar J. Domingos, Ande I. Emmanuel and Nelson Kalombo Ngoy follow proceedings during the Africa College of Bishops opening worship service held at First United Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia. The church, which was built in 1822, is the oldest Protestant church in Africa. Photo courtesy of Liberia Annual Conference Communications.

African bishops celebrate growth, ecumenism
United Methodist episcopal leaders in Africa gathered in Liberia to discuss regionalization, stewardship, sustainability and other issues affecting the continent.
Disaster Relief
The Rev. Heather J. Zisengwe, superintendent for The United Methodist Church’s Bulawayo Midlands District in Zimbabwe, holds a baby at a transit camp set up by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches for migrants who have left South Africa amid anti-immigration protests. The temporary center in the sanctuary of the United Church of Christ in Southern Africa in Njube was the hub for humanitarian efforts by mainline churches in Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Heather J. Zisengwe.

United Methodists respond to South African migration crisis
The United Methodist Church supports thousands of undocumented migrants fleeing anti-foreigner protests in South Africa.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved