Years of war and internal strife have left the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in a desperate condition. As with many conflicts, the majority of victims are women and children. Food insecurity, access to medical aid and education are just a few of the challenges the population in this area face. Ongoing instability has only added to the problem but there is hope.
Ray and Mary Anne Bale have lived the last ten years in this area of Africa and, working with many Congolese nationals, are embarking on a new venture. The government of Congo has released 25 acres of land, and we have just recently purchased an additional 7.5 acres to help facilitate a new agriculture, feeding, health clinic, education and training project. “Najenga” Congo is committed to seeing the first phase of a school and feeding project in an area just outside the city of Uvira in South Kivu province of DRC.
The main thing we are endeavouring to do is build HOPE, for the present and for the future.
“Najenga” is the Swahili word for “We are building.” It is an attitude, not an NGO, an organization, an association or a ministry. Najenga is creative and fluid, Holy Spirit inspired and led.
In Burundi: New Hope Children’s Home for orphans from Congo. Each apartment at the home houses approximately twelve children with two mamas. This is called a family. There are five families. We have sponsorships for the children through which we are able to provide food, clothes, medicines, school fees and books.
Ray and Mary Anne Bale have lived the last ten years in this area of Africa and, working with many Congolese nationals, are embarking on a new venture. The government of Congo has released 25 acres of land, and we have just recently purchased an additional 7.5 acres to help facilitate a new agriculture, feeding, health clinic, education and training project. “Najenga” Congo is committed to seeing the first phase of a school and feeding project in an area just outside the city of Uvira in South Kivu province of DRC.
The main thing we are endeavouring to do is build HOPE, for the present and for the future.
“Najenga” is the Swahili word for “We are building.” It is an attitude, not an NGO, an organization, an association or a ministry. Najenga is creative and fluid, Holy Spirit inspired and led.
In Burundi: New Hope Children’s Home for orphans from Congo. Each apartment at the home houses approximately twelve children with two mamas. This is called a family. There are five families. We have sponsorships for the children through which we are able to provide food, clothes, medicines, school fees and books.
In Uvira, DRC: This is a town across the border from Burundi in Congo.
We have finished a school (Ecole Shalom) that accommodates around 900 students, both primary and secondary. David Freeman from the U.K. has helped facilitate teacher training sessions at this school many times over the years. The past six years the primary school has had 100% of its students pass the exams to go into secondary school. On the property there is also a sewing training center for widows. After they finish their training they receive a machine which enables them to support themselves and their families.
Ruben has been given land in the Uvira area by the government. The two large parcels will be for growing food crops to provide for the widows and orphans. A children’s home, school, medical clinic and training center are also in the plans for some of the land. We have also recently purchased 3 hectares of land on which we will be looking to put a base on to work out of in the future.
We have finished a school (Ecole Shalom) that accommodates around 900 students, both primary and secondary. David Freeman from the U.K. has helped facilitate teacher training sessions at this school many times over the years. The past six years the primary school has had 100% of its students pass the exams to go into secondary school. On the property there is also a sewing training center for widows. After they finish their training they receive a machine which enables them to support themselves and their families.
Ruben has been given land in the Uvira area by the government. The two large parcels will be for growing food crops to provide for the widows and orphans. A children’s home, school, medical clinic and training center are also in the plans for some of the land. We have also recently purchased 3 hectares of land on which we will be looking to put a base on to work out of in the future.
In the mountains up from Uvira is the village of Murungu where we have a children’s village called Emmanuel Centre. There are five houses there that house widows and orphans. We would like to see several more houses built as there are hundreds of orphans and widows that could be cared for. A new school has just been built in Emmanuel Center and provides education for around 200 students of which about 100 are orphans.
There is a flour mill in the village of Murungu as well as one at Emmanuel Center which provides for the people there and for the orphans.
There is a lumber milling operation in Murungu and a carpenter training project to train young men to build. David Freeman has trained many teachers in the villages around Murungu as well as in Uvira, DRC. Last year 75 village teachers came to the training weekend, some walking many miles to get there. |
Kingdom Values: Isaiah 2:2
Biblically Based Principles:
Christ’s love is the central driving force in our efforts; therefore, we will walk with God’s compassion in all our dealings.
Biblically Based Principles:
Christ’s love is the central driving force in our efforts; therefore, we will walk with God’s compassion in all our dealings.
- Integrity - We desire to reflect God’s broken heart for those in Congo. Our posture is to listen and sensitively respond to the needs at hand and promote the interests of others
- Excellence - Our work with children at risk should be of the highest standards. With integrity we will openly articulate our agenda, methods of procedure and business practices.
- Attitude - A heart response and posture where our motive is to reflect the heart and character of Jesus.(1 Cor 13)
- Trust - Building and earning confidence as we share and work together as a team and with the wider community.
- Hope - Embracing today’s circumstances while we hold fast to the promise of a better future.
- Accountability - All staff and volunteers are accountable to the Najenga board. All financial transactions are open to the scrutiny of government, the Najenga board, and all those who ask.