Good morning! 

We wanted to take a moment to thank you again for teaming up with us at Feed Their Tummies and for supporting this very important program, as well as update you on some changes to our program and partnerships. 

At Feed Their Tummies, we have a goal to improve the lives of children in poverty in a manner that is 100% transparent and accountable to your hard earned dollar. Recently, Mwangaza International, our partner in DRC, has raised concerns with the orphanage where the feeding program is currently taking place. The children of La Grace orphanage have been moved from their original location to a location that is quite distant. This new location is not secure and puts our facilitating team at risk. We have reached out to the orphanage director and have tried to remedy the situation, however, the response has not been cooperative or accountable. Because of this, we have unfortunately had to discontinue the food deliveries with this orphanage. We have prayed long and hard over this agonizing decision but, ultimately, we feel that we owe it to our donors to ensure the program is run with integrity and the food is making it to the intended children.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of need in DRC and we have been busy setting up new partnerships with the assistance of our trusted partner, Mwangaza Int., to ensure the program can carry on seamlessly, supporting children in the most need.  As you know, we recently announced a new partnership with Mwangaza at another home housing twenty-six girls, ages 6-14, all of whom have been rescued from sex trafficking. Unfortunately, this is a fairly new, but growing industry in the DRC. The stories and trauma these girls have, is heartbreaking.

We have also been working with our Canadian friends at Linked Through Love Foundation in order to optimize the structure of our programs. Rather than feeding one orphanage as a shared team, we will be able to provide more help across additional vulnerable children if we split our programs. The team at Linked Through Love Foundation will continue their feeding program at two other Mwangaza-run orphanages. They will be feeding two homes - one that houses seven girls (also rescued from sex trafficking) and the other that houses thirteen boys. 

These homes all have great need and are run by directors/managers whom Mwangaza has had long-term relations with. The feeding program will continue with the same criteria the orphanages must adhere to in order to guarantee that your donations are stretched to the best of our ability. 

We will be making our first food delivery next week at the new home and will share photos and updates with you all as soon as we receive them from our team in Kinshasa. We are hopeful you will continue to partner with us to give these girls a life with hope, and a chance to break free from the circumstances that have placed them in this home.  

Looking ahead, the next phase of our program will include funding a kitchen for Mayi Ndombe Primary school in Kinshasa in order to feed the sponsored children in Mwangaza’s orphan-prevention program. The 69 children, between the ages of 6-12, are sponsored to attend school, however, these children are not fed during the school day and are living in extreme poverty. After the construction of the kitchen, we will be able to fund meals for these children to ensure they are healthy and prepared to learn.

We know firsthand how important feeding children in places like DRC is and have seen the difference it makes in the life of a child.  When a child is hungry, it is nearly impossible for him or her to understand their value and place in this world.  With your help, we are not only able to fill their tummies, but help re-write these children’s futures!

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We assure you we have not forgotten the kids at La Grace, and will continue to monitor the situation for any chance to reinstate the program at this location. 

We also have plans to visit these new locations in the spring and look forward to getting to know these children and sharing their stories with you all!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. I can be reached at feedtheirtummies@gmail.com and am happy to answer any questions!

Blessings,

Jenny