Our Mission

In 2003 Linda Mendro went to the Congo with a team of Methodist women.  At that time she met Mama Chansa who shared with Linda a vision she had of a home for orphans.  Mama had begun gathering needy kids from the neighborhood into her home.  Linda agreed to help her, and she and her husband Wayne began soliciting donors who would send kids to school for a year.  Mama Chansa's unofficial orphanage isn't affiliated with the Methodist Church or any other organization, even though she herself is a Methodist.  After a few years of fund-raising, in 2015 Linda and Wayne raised $60k to buy Peniel a larger, nicer house in a quieter neighborhood. 

 Linda has been to the Congo eight more times since 2003, mostly as an independent traveler not associated with the Methodist Church or any other organization.  Wayne has gone with her four times, and their 18-year-old granddaughter Johnnie went with them once.

34 kids live at Peniel House. The other 114 children are neighborhood kids who live with a grandma or other family members. Even though we have made progress in helping these kids, they still have limited access to basic human necessities such as running water. There are 14 kids to a room in Peniel House- doubled up in bunkbeds as well as on mattresses on the floor. They all sleep under mosquito netting as malaria is a prevalent risk. The dining room is also the classroom as well as the sewing room. All the sewing machines are treadle machines because electricity is unreliable. 

Because of mining, prices are inflated in Lubumbashi.  The house is roomy but not luxurious even by Congolese standards.  The plumbing doesn't work, so water is brought from a neighborhood standpipe.  The well on the property produces water that is only good for washing.  The children mostly use the outdoor toilet, though there are two indoor toilets.  Cooking is done on small indoor and outdoor charcoal grills.  They are growing vegetables around the grounds and have a few fledgling fruit trees.

Swahili is the main language, but French is the language of commerce and education in the Congo. Since English isn't commonly spoken, we often need a translator for our visits and correspondence. Marie Tracy is our translator.

Medical Fund

We also have a medical fund for emergencies and to help kids like Voldie, who is often hospitalized with Sickle Cell Anemia. This fund is there to help him with these extra expenses. 

Scholarship Fund

Another resource we've set up is a scholarship fund to provide the kids with a way to go to a university or take vocational training. Dominique is studying computer programming at the University of Lubumbashi. The scholarship fund enables him to study there.

To learn how you can help, please contact us here