The orphanage is in Bokonzo and is largely supported by the Covenant Church in Congo (CEUM). The 18 children currently at the orphanage were left without parents due to war, AIDS, or other diseases.
This past January, ACC President Dr. Keith Hamilton spoke during a pastors conference in Congo. While there, he visited several Paul Carlson Partnership sites. The needs of the children at the orphanage he visited (accompanying photo) spurred Hamilton to consider how he might help.
He set a personal goal of raising $6,000 this year, as well as additional funding in coming years to benefit the orphanage. The funds will help feed, educate, house, and provide medical care to the children.
“I, too, was once an orphan – adopted shortly after birth – and believe strongly in the scripture that teaches us to care for both the widows and the orphans,” Hamilton says. “We cannot deny these kids the basic needs of life when we have so much.
“Our Alaska Native students are also among those that have limited funds – very limited – and yet they did a fundraiser at Valentine’s Day and have personally given of their own funds as available,” Hamilton adds.
With the help of other contributors, more than $4,000 already has been raised. To help raise money each year, ACC students who enroll in a mission course taught by Hamilton will receive credit for organizing their own Congo Kids fundraiser to meet their own annual goals.
He hopes the actions of the students will stir others to contribute. “If Alaskan Eskimos can give, we know God will touch others to give as well,” Hamilton says.
