Hope for Congo: Bring Hope. Change Lives.

Dear Lobiko Community,

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership throughout the year. Your dedication makes it possible to transform lives and bring hope to children and families in Congo.

This year has been an incredible journey for me as Lobiko’s Executive Director. While deeply fulfilling, it hasn’t been without challenges, uncertainties, or moments of doubt. At times, rejections from major funders and foundations left me questioning how we’d raise the resources needed to make an impact. On the ground in Congo, the pressure and expectations from community members to solve deep-rooted problems felt overwhelming. Saying no to so many critical needs due to our limited capacity was one of the hardest aspects of this work. Yet, when one door closed, members of the Lobiko community stepped up in extraordinary ways, providing the resources we needed to do our work effectively this year and reminding me of the power of collective action. To navigate the expectations in Congo, we relied on our program partners to be the face of change on the ground, guiding us in identifying which critical issues to collaborate on. Through it all, my faith has deepened as I’ve witnessed how each obstacle has been met with courage, hope, and determination. It has been inspiring to see how this work continues to bring people together and create meaningful change. Walking this path alongside each of you is a humbling privilege.

Together, we’ve accomplished so much this year. Through expanded partnerships and unwavering dedication, we’ve grown our impact in Congo, transforming thousands of lives. Our work has grown from directly serving 100 children to over 400, thanks to the unified efforts of the Sabuli Children’s Center, Mama Monique Foundation, and the Gemena Football Academy. These children, many of whom have faced severe malnutrition, abandonment, or loss, are now finding hope and care in a collaborative ecosystem of support. This spirit of partnership ensures that each organization’s strengths are leveraged to provide the best possible care.

We’ve also taken steps to address critical needs in Congo. Our collaboration with The Sanguma Foundation to urgently build a maternity ward will help tackle the orphan crisis and reduce maternal and child mortality rates. New initiatives, such as the journalism class, have been launched, while existing programs like English and IT have expanded, empowering individuals with skills for entrepreneurial ventures. The Ubangi Protestant University has seen renewed energy, with new building space and enrollment numbers matching pre-pandemic levels.

Another milestone is our pilot program to support older children as they transition out of care. This initiative provides essential skills and seed funding, enabling them to pursue independent and successful futures.

Lobiko itself has grown exponentially this year. We now have three times the number of people supporting this critical work, and we’ve more than doubled our fundraising compared to last year. This growth has set Lobiko on a sustainable path for long-term impact—not only in the Gemena region of Congo but also beyond.

Despite these successes, we have faced significant challenges. Some children in our care came to us too late and tragically did not survive. Our colleagues in Congo have endured heartbreaking losses as treatable conditions remain out of reach for many. Our community has faced serious health issues while older children grapple with outside influences that threaten their well-being. Limited infrastructure and resources continue to make every effort three times as difficult. Yet, the resilience and dedication of our team in Congo, supported by your generosity, inspire us to press on with hope. Together, we remain grounded in our commitment to this vital work.

This work truly takes a village. It requires each of us to leverage our unique strengths and gifts, coming together to create a transformative impact. Thank you for saying "yes" to joining us on this journey. Together, we are transforming lives through hope and opportunity.

I firmly believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and I’ve witnessed this truth unfold time and time again this year. May we reflect on the extraordinary work we’ve achieved together, transforming lives and bringing hope to those who need it most.

With Deep Gratitude,

Wilita Sanguma
Executive Director

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