Into the next century
Caring for uprooted people like Nsimire Mugoli
Nsimire Mugoli had hope for her children’s futures. She and her husband owned their own home and had enough farmland to provide for their family. But that was before an armed group attacked their community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nine years ago, they fled their home to escape the group that attacked the village, assaulted women and killed people, including some of Nsimire’s brothers and sisters.
“The war affected me so much,” she said. “I left many important things to save the life of my children. There are those who actually lost their children during the war time.”
Nsimire, her husband and their nine children left everything behind to flee. They now live in thatch huts in Mubimbi, a camp with 300 other families displaced by the violence in their region.
Although it’s relatively safe from attackers in the camp, there are significant challenges. There are no jobs nearby, making it nearly impossible for parents to feed and take care of their children.
Without help from extended family, children are likely to remain trapped in poverty. The whole family is vulnerable.
But compassionate people like you saw the need and provided emergency food for Nsimire and her family.
Now when Nsimire cooks, everyone eats until they are full.
With their immediate needs met, the family can prepare for their future and begin to support themselves. Thanks to the seeds, tools and rented land that you generously provided, Nsimire and her husband are now able to grow their own food.
She and her husband use the knowledge they gained through agricultural training to aim for the best harvest possible.
“I am feeling happy inside,” Nsimire said, as she bent over to poke a hole and insert a few seeds in their field. “I’m thinking the way I am planting, I will be harvesting soon.”
The children often help in the fields as well, after they are done school for the day. They are learning languages, math and science at a local school, an education that is made possible through your support. “When they are in school, they are getting enough knowledge to have a better life,” says Nsimire.
That better life is possible thanks to caring people like you who support opportunities for families like Nsimire’s.
To celebrate MCC’s centennial year, we are working to raise $5 million to continue our support for people like Nsimire and other displaced families.
We invite you to join us and consider a special gift in 2020 to celebrate MCC’s centennial. You can help ensure MCC’s programming will remain fully funded now and into the future.
You can donate online here or contact your local MCC office.
We couldn’t do this work without you. Thank you!
This project is funded through MCC’s account at Canadian Foodgrains Bank and is carried out by MCC’s partner Église du Christ au Congo — Ministère des Refugiés et des Urgences (ECC-MERU or Church of Christ in Congo — Ministry of Refugees and Emergencies).