Sustain street kids impacted by COVID-19 in Congo

Covid-19 continues to impact life in the Congo, as vaccines are not as widely available as in more developed countries. The staff at the Congo Children's Trust and at the new Kimbilio Primary School continue to encourage street children to get vaccinated and to wear masks in indoor places.

The new Kimbilio School, which opened in October 2021, has helped to spread this message. The school is providing good quality education to the street children living in the short and longer-term houses run by the Trust. Education is so important in the Congo to ensure that children gain the skills that will enable them to provide for their own families when they are older.

Thank you for your support for the work of the Congo Children's Trust with street children.

There is very little supply of vaccines in Lubumbashi. Covid numbers are very high, not reflected in the statistics,and there is no space in the city morturaries. The Kimbilio team provide masks for the children staying in their short and long term homes and for those who come to the Day Centre and encourage the children to wear the masks when in close contact with others.

However much care one takes to protect oneself against Covid, unfortunately it still spreads and Jean Bosco,the director of Kimbilio in Lubumbashi, passed away from Covid in July. He set an amazing example in the way he worked diligently and led Kimbilio for seven years with compassion, gentleness and humility, improving the lives of many vulnerable children.Jean has been a father figure to the team and to the children, wise and kind to all, and we will mis him greatly. Two senior members of the team have stepped forward to undertake Jean's duties and we will review the position in three months.

The new Kimbilio School is completed and will open on 4 October 2021. The Head Teacher has been appointed and staff are being interviewed. Exciting times!