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
General Church
United Methodists cheer at a service recognizing newly elected Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel at the Christian Association of Nigeria Secretariat in Jalingo, Taraba State, after his election at the West Africa Central Conference in Ghana Dec. 5-8. Emmanuel has been holding listening sessions across Nigeria’s regional conferences to seek unity and hear concerns from members. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.

United Methodists in Nigeria move forward
The United Methodist Church has taken steps toward uniting members, while awaiting recourse from the courts regarding properties and other legal matters.
Global Health
A woman exits an ambulance after receiving testing during The United Methodist Church’s free health expo in Harare, Zimbabwe, as other patients wait to be seen. The church partnered with the government and Sunningdale Medical Center to offer the free screenings to church members and the community in October. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Patients line up for free church health clinic
The United Methodist Sunningdale Circuit in Zimbabwe collaborated with the government to offer free health screenings and information.
Violence
A map shows the Karim Lamido local government area in Taraba State, Nigeria, where clashes between members of The United Methodist Church and Global Methodist Church escalated on Dec. 15 in the Munga Dosso community, leaving three United Methodists dead. Maps courtesy of Google; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

3 United Methodists killed in Nigeria
A young adult church member was shot and two toddlers died in a fire as fighting between members of The United Methodist Church and the breakaway Global Methodist Church escalated in rural Nigeria.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved