Partners and Progress
HOPE and Care for Little Souls
Directors: Mozart and Sephora Dino Kile, Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo
Years of partnership with AHI: 2½
HOPE and Care for Little Souls newsletters
Progress and Achievements
This new work founded by Mozart and Sephora Dino Kile is advancing well despite the post war considerations affecting the town of Bunia, DR Congo where the new base has been secured to springboard a wonderful work that reaches those children and families most affected by the tragedy of conflict in recent years.
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| This is Bohneur Kanza. He was born in the world's worst and least known war, and his father died of HIV AIDS. Now, HOPE has come to him, he is sponsored and will have an opportunity to find his special place in the world. |
The base was purchased with support from South Australia and hard work from Mozart who administered all the requirements to secure the purchase for HCLS while completing a Masters in his course in Nairobi. This base on the outskirts of Bunia has 3 houses and one unfinished one. There is some bombing damage from the war, but all is easily repairable and will cope wonderfully for accommodation and schooling local children not currently in school due to the residual upheaval of the war and poverty.
Further support has also provided an opportunity to secure more land for future developments to provide rehabilitation, education and community support for the hundreds in need in this war torn region. Mozart and his wife have both completed their studies as of July, 2007 which will equip them with the necessary skills for the challenges of helping a whole community struggling with re-establishment following the war.
Steve Schoemaker, who grew up with Mozart in Bunia, Congo, (then known as Zaire), returned recently to be with Mozart and Sephora for their graduation in Nairobi, Kenya. This was Steve's first visit for 20 years and it was a moving time to reunite with old friends and travel back to Bunia to survey the place of his childhood and inspect the new HCLS operations. Steve is a great advocate for HCLS. HOPE has commenced sponsoring some of the 55 children from the area who Mozart identified as most needy and they are now progressing well at school. Generous gifts to this project have allowed us to place all these children in school but sponsorship will ensure they continue long term with their education in a school operated for the community by HCLS.
Ongoing Development and Future Objectives
The base at Bunia has been assessed and is deemed very suitable to develop as a school for the sponsored children. First intake will occur in January 2008 at present plans. Mozart's family will also live there temporarily as there original home was bombed down along with thousands of others several years ago. Child and family rehabilitation and administration of HCLS will also happen there from this point on.
New land will be earmarked for a larger education facility that will benefit the whole community. Social work will dominate here due to the high fallout of devastation of the war upon people's lives. It is also envisaged that medical services to the community will operate through this work of HCLS in the near future.