Eastern DR Congo War Relief
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” ~ James 1:27.
“Helping the poor, helping those in need, it has never been a matter of money yet the disposition of one’s heart.” ~ Pasteur Emanuel Kashira.
GOMA/EASTERN DR Congo — One of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, also among the world’s bloodiest, most forgotten conflicts that has long demanded prompt attention and action from everyone, good willed individuals with compassion, churches, organizations, the international community, etc. Sadly, this hasn’t always been the case. The absence of humanitarian infrastructure in Goma (social services, adequate health care), thousands of people in Goma and around Eastern DRC, have been living in extreme poverty, at risk of hunger and diseases from malnutrition.
We are Compassion in Action, our mission has always been to serve the most vulnerable (widows and orphans), according to the Bible (James 1:27). Last year 2024, we have provided blankets, food supplies (beans, rice, sugar, cooking oil, biscuits, fanta, sweet candies for energy), hot meals (rice and beans) just basic necessities to hundreds of women and their children as well as street children who were taking refuge in camps and around the city of Goma. At times we also provided bus transportation allowance to the displaced.
We noticed an event during our food distributions where children (youngsters) were wailing loudly and continuously; the hunger was the reason of the melancholy cries out which seemed to us like sad music. To lessen these young children’ suffering, our ministry eventually introduced baby biscuits to our food distribution. The babies have seemed more relaxed during our food distribution because they were occupied with eating their biscuits.
The impoverished and displaced people we assist in Goma and the surrounding area have been getting by on very little. Our organization worked hard to identify the most vulnerable people (displaced women, widows, seniors, street children) in Goma. With the help of a few of our own friends, Uxbridge Baptist Church, Baypark Baptist Church, Marian Trust, and ourselves, we provided basic necessities like food, blankets, financial assistance, waterproof tarps, to those in dire need, including elderly people, former church leaders with no pension income.
“I believe that without the UPENDO (financial aid) from your ministry, my husband would have passed away by now. To care for his necessary medication and food for his condition, we do wait for the financial support you provide monthly. We have no income.” ~ The wife of one of the recipients.
It was difficult at times to choose just two hundred women out of thousands of hungry and destitute displaced individuals. Elderly and occasionally blind seniors who could hardly walk, accompanied by people, also arrived for food distribution, as did mothers with newborns under a week old and some pregnant women who were almost due. Although it might not seem like much, it had a significant impact on the recipients and one of the biggest impacts was HOPE for a better tomorrow.
To this day, we continue to offer a small amount of financial support to selected widows each month in the form of $5 per person, perhaps $10 per rotation. We see this as the equivalent of Canadian social welfare, that could have been provided by the government. This cash assistance is given to the identified most destitute.
“Like birds, we live by survival; we have no idea what or whether we will eat. But as long as we have life, there is hope.” One woman expressed.
“I hope to get some food for my family by walking the 7km. Hunger, malnutrition, water scarcity, and the diseases that are killing us are our worst foes inside the camps. I appreciate this food supply.” A displaced woman said.
“This blanket will be with me forever. I shall never forget to pray for you because of this constant reminder of your generosity and goodness. As a pastor, your generosity has taught me a valuable lesson. I hope to do the same to my people when I get the chance to return to my village. I shall be reminded of my time here in Goma as a displaced person by this blanket.” Pasteur from Kibumba (30 kilometers outside of Goma) was displaced.
The scope and intricacy of this humanitarian situation in Goma have not decreased over time, but rather increased. Lack of sufficient funding in comparison to the immense need, has made our work on the ground challenging, therefore, as you read this, we invite you to join us with your financial assistance and together we can lessen the suffering of the war’s forgotten victims in Goma/Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
We sincerely appreciate the assistance from all of our friends and churches who have joined us in this mission of Compassion in Action.
Mimi Kashira and Paul Haws
FOUNDATION PASTEUR EMMANUEL KASHIRA
AVENUE LUMUMBA 7/QUARTIER OFFICE – GOMA
