Empowering communities through impactful programs, our nonprofit is dedicated to creating lasting positive change for those in need.
Our goal with Bolingo Village has always been to care for the whole child. We're not just trying to house and feed the greatest number of children. That wouldn't be enough. We're trying to ensure that each child is happy. That we're helping them heal from their past traumas. That they're getting extra attention in areas that they need. Caring for the whole child means digging deeper than just a statistic because every child is so much more than that. That's why we created care plans specific to each child on our most recent trip. Our village manager and I sat down with each foster mom and did a deep dive into how each child is doing; in school, physical health, behavioral issues, etc. Should they be having counseling sessions with the pastor? Do they need to work with our tutor? What are they interested in doing when they grow up? I'll be honest, these meetings were long and tedious, but SO WORTH IT! Now each child has a development plan curated to their needs. Some will have counseling sessions with the pastor once a week due to their foster mom's behavioral concerns. Some only once a month. Some need to see a tutor to work on their French. Some are already killing it in French - so no need for a tutor! Selfishly, these meetings also painted a better picture of each child for me. You think you know a kid, but you'll be amazed at what you discover after speaking with their mama. I'm sure all of our moms reading can attest to this! The Bolingo family doesn't just end with the kiddos - our staff members need some love too. So, we had meetings with them to hear their thoughts on the village and their satisfaction working with us. Is it a safe place for children? What more could we be doing to benefit the kids long-term? How can we improve their job satisfaction? I was slightly amazed by some of the information we learned. For example, most of our staff members don't have transportation to and from work. They either have to pay $2 of their hard-earned money to get a taxi motorcycle or walk an hour there and back. We can't have that! So, we worked out a schedule to ensure that they all have transportation. Communication, folks, that's all it takes! We plan to continue these meetings on every trip we take to Bolingo. We'll assess and adapt each child's plan based on their progress. We can't wait to see each child's growth right before our eyes!
It’s no secret that we LOVE our foster moms. They’re part of what makes Bolingo Village work. They nurture and care for the kids like their own, help keep the village functioning properly, and liven the place up while doing it! So, we thought it would be fun to pay homage to these beautiful women who do so much. Enjoy!
One of Global Orphan Foundation’s first programs was a nutrition program that we executed in Congolese orphanages. Through this program, we met Plumpy’Nut and all of its life-saving capabilities. When we first started working in Congolese orphanages, the mortality rate for children under 2 was 50%. You read that correctly. This statistic was a reality for many reasons; lack of clean water, lack of nurture, lack of sanitation, and of course, malnutrition. This was a heartbreaking statistic to accept and one of the main reasons we began intervention. That's where Plumpy'Nut came in. Every child who entered our program graduated alive and at a healthy weight. So, what is this magical nutritional supplement? Plumpy'Nut is a nutrient-dense peanut butter-like paste, categorized as a Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, meaning it's safe to feed to children suffering from malnutrition. You see, malnutrition is a tricky beast to tackle. Unfortunately, you can't just begin providing burgers and mac' n cheese to a malnourished child. Doing so could cause the body's delicate electrolyte balance to change too quickly, leading to seizures, heart failure, comas, or even death. This reality is why therapeutic foods like Plumpy'Nut exist. Not to mention, it is easy to use and manage, making it an outpatient option. For some children, it's the only option as they can't afford to receive treatment at a hospital. Plumpy'Nut continues to be a game-changer for us in our programming. At the beginning of this year, we got a call from social services saying that a sibling group of three needed a forever home. Upon arriving at Bolingo Village, they received their routine medical exam. Our nurse noticed the youngest sibling had a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) score in the red zone, indicating severe acute malnutrition. She was 2-years-old, couldn't speak or walk, and appeared to have slow reactions to her surroundings. However, after a couple of months following the appropriate dosage amount each day, she has safely gained weight. Her MUAC score is in the green, and we've noticed her cognitive function improve drastically. Granted, she is crying a lot more because she's actually having appropriate reactions that an average child should have. But, honestly, that's music to our ears. This supplement has saved this little girl from the long-term effects of malnutrition. This is why we LOVE Plumpy'Nut.
If you follow Global Orphan Foundation on social media, I'm sure you recognize some of our kiddos and how they've grown. However, you've probably noticed that we don't post highly recognizable, close-up photos of our kids - specifically of their faces. Come to think of it - I bet you can't name the town that Bolingo Village is in, can you? What about one of our kid's names? You can't, can you? Those facts are by design. There are two reasons that we keep our kiddos' faces and many personal details under wraps: their privacy and protection. Child Privacy Imagine being adopted and waking up one morning to find your photo on the homepage of a website and promotional material for a nonprofit. Now imagine that your life story and personal details of your trauma were associated with those images. How would that make you feel? What if that was your child? Now imagine that you weren't adopted, but the place you called home and family used your story and images? How much detail does the public have a right to know about the children that they help support? It's a question that GOF staff and board struggle with daily. There are so many harmful details of our children's pasts, parts of their stories that although we will offer to tell them when they're older, I pray they decline. Truly horrifying starts at life. There are so many heartbreaking stories, but the kids that call Bolingo Village home are so much more than their stories.We like to focus on who they are, what brings them joy, and keep their personal history private. They can share their stories; just because we provide them care doesn't give us a right to their past. To us, it feels exploitive. Although we sincerely want to share what's happening in the village, we don't want any child to look back and think that we took advantage of them. Child Protection I had the opportunity to volunteer for an international organization that I knew had a child sponsorship program. This was before Bolingo Village opened, and I was excited to learn how they administered their program. The more I learned, the more horrified I was. Anyone could go on their website and search for a child that met their preferences. You could sort by gender, age, interests, location, etc and a photo would pop up. The listed information gave people enough information that you could track a child down - it even listed the school they attended. Or - if you sponsored the child, this organization would set up a one on one meeting if you paid to go on a mission trip with them. Here at Global Orphan Foundation, we know that there are countless people with kind hearts that genuinely want to do good in the world. But, unfortunately, we also know that there are people that have a desire to harm. We also understand that some nonprofits are willing to risk the safety of the children they serve to make themselves more attractive to donors. We are not those organizations. We have a responsibility to the children of Bolingo Village first and foremost. We are responsible for them; their safety, care, education, character development, grit and determination, and long-term success. We are lucky that we have donors that understand and support us, knowing that in exchange, they will get updates on all of our children - not just one that they select. Global Orphan Foundation is committed to the privacy and protection of the children of Bolingo Village. We are proud to be an organization that helps our families grow and thrive. We couldn’t do it without the understanding and support of our donors and champions; thank you.
What do you do if you need more laundry detergent? You pick up and go to the store, right? Unfortunately for us, it's not always that simple in Congo. Shopping seems like a mundane thing that would be relatively similar no matter where you are in the world but shopping in Congo can turn into a strenuous and frustrating process fairly quickly. Here are the realities of shopping in Congo: Where’s Waldo? Unlike in the US, if you’re looking for something (let’s say a sturdy plastic chair that you want in the same color as the ones we already had in the pavilion) you can’t just google “sturdy plastic chair near Kinshasa” to find it. You also can’t call the stores. You have to go into the store, which, depending on traffic, could take hours, just to see if they have something. No one-stop-shop. We've found that it can be pretty tricky to get everything you need on a one-day trip to downtown Kinshasa. We may have to go to two different grocery stores and the street market to get all the food we need. Then a different store for plastic bins or garbage cans. Flowers? You'll have to find somewhere off a road that's selling some. Suffice to say; it's often a guessing game of where you'll be able to find the products you need. No Receipts. Unless you're at one of the "fancy" stores in Kinshasa, you may have difficulty getting a receipt while shopping in Congo. The shop owner may look at you in complete confusion if you ask for one. This poses a small problem for us when it comes to our accounting. Luckily, all our staff have a receipt book handy! Price of Handling. Imagine you're our village manager, a 100-pound female, and you're out in the street market purchasing beans and rice in bulk. Mind you; these bulk bags are about 100 pounds each. Let's not forget you parked your car a few blocks down because it was the only place you could find parking. Do you think you'd be able to carry everything on your own? Probably not, which is why we have to pay someone for "handling" to help get things to the car. Expensive. People are often surprised to learn that the cost of goods in DRC is high. For many things, it's more expensive than here in the U.S. Not to mention, inflation raises prices regularly, making it difficult to budget. Be careful what you put down. This one's pretty self-explanatory. If you put something down or look away for a second, your item might be gone. It seems an easy enough rule to abide by, but you'd be surprised when your hands are full how often you may want to set something down for just a second. Day-to-day life in DRC is far removed from life in the US. We are grateful for our staff on the ground that help us navigate a system that is so different from our own. I know I’ve never been more grateful for Target than when I returned from my first trip to DRC.
If you've been following along with our social media - you'll know that we started a "kid of the week" series where we highlight one of the kiddos of Bolingo Village. By this point, you may have noticed that all of our children are younger; most of our kids are under ten years old. That's because Bolingo Village tries to welcome new children that are six years old or younger. We do this for a couple of reasons: To encourage family bonding. To assist in overcoming trauma. To reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse between our kids. Family Bonding Last week's kid of the week came to live at Bolingo when she was just a few days old. She was ill at birth, and her mother knew that she couldn't afford to give her the care she needed. So we gladly took her in, and now she reigns supreme. Mama Oddy wanted a baby - so although she had a house otherwise full of boys, that's where she went. This little one knows nothing else but life at Bolingo Village. She's never known hunger; she will grow up knowing that Mama Oddy is her primary caregiver and source of love and protection. She will grow up having seven brothers that protect her and come running when she calls. Part of the care that Bolingo Village offers is the love of a family. This bond grows with time, which is why we have set our age range on the younger end. Overcoming Trauma Every single child at Bolingo Village has experienced trauma. Their stories are just as heartbreaking as their giggles are heartwarming. The earlier we can start work healing from trauma, the greater the likelihood that trauma becomes a distant memory rather than a constant source of hurt. "Hurt people, hurt people" is a very true statement. Bolingo Village is the place that helps these kids break that cycle and ensure that nothing is standing in the way of them becoming the best versions of themselves. Avoiding Sexual Abuse We don't talk about avoiding sexual abuse a lot - but it is constantly on our minds and in our planning. Unfortunately, the reality is that some of our children have experienced sexual abuse. While this is not the only method we're employing to negate this cycle, it is vital to our goal. At Global Orphan Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a champion. Although we know that Bolingo Village cannot help every child, we are steadfast in our commitment to the ones we can. Our general rule of accepting children six years old or younger is one tool that we use to create a healthy and happy community.
Disclaimer: Peas beware; this post may contain one too many vegetable puns. Lettuce begin. Before children, foster moms, a playground, or buildings were at Bolingo Village, there was just empty land. One of the very first things we started doing on that land was farming crops. We hired Papy, who is still our head farmer today, and told him to make the farmland as raddishing as possible. And he is kale-ing it! At the forefront of our farm plans has always been providing adequate nutrition for the children of Bolingo Village. Secondary to that is creating commerce, through an excess of crops. Through trial and error, hiring three new farmers, an irrigation system, and many strategic planning sessions, we think we’ve concocted an un-BEET-able equation for both an abundance of nutrition and potential for sustainable income. We have three main crops that we are mass-producing; cassava, corn, and peanuts. What we’ve found is that it’s better to choose a few crops that are desirable in the community, get good at farming them, farm a lot of them, and have a high amount of excess to sell. I know what you’re thinking, does cassava, peanuts, and corn provide enough nutrition for the kids of Bolingo? The answer is no. While they do offer a good variety of nutritional benefits; iron, folate, B vitamins, and potassium, to name a few, they are still missing some essential nutrients that our kiddos need to have a well-balanced diet. That’s where our “little farm” comes in. In addition to the acres of farmland filled with our three main crops, we also have a designated area of land that contains smaller amounts of many different crops, like sweet potatoes, cucumber, spinach, amaranth, green pepper, sorrel, and tomatoes. The purpose of this area of farmland is strictly to feed the families of Bolingo Village and fill in any nutritional gaps (not to mention add variety to their little taste buds!). With this combination of farming, we have the best of both worlds. From a nutrition standpoint, our kids are “eating the rainbow,” as we like to say in the nutrition world. Once our fruit trees begin to produce (any day now!), they’ll have access to foods in every color, providing the optimal combination of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that their bodies need to flourish. From an economic standpoint, our farmers can focus on perfectly producing just a few crops, making the growing and selling process as efficient as possible. Suffice to say, this is an a-maize-ing recipe for success!
Have you ever noticed that we don't generally use the terms, orphans or widows? Likely no, you haven't. It's a small detail that is easy to miss. Now, however, you're not going to be able to unsee it. Now, you'll notice that we often say 'orphaned child' or 'widowed woman.' Mostly, you'll see that we say 'kiddos' or 'foster moms' instead, and there are several reasons why. Reason 1: Words Matter. Here at GOF, we think words matter, and we know the impact that they can have on children and their sense of self-worth. When people use the term 'orphans' or 'widows,' they identify someone based on a negative. In these cases, the negative is painful, filled with trauma, and significantly lowers their social status. Reason 2: People are more than what has happened to them. Orphaned children, including the kiddos we love to watch grow up in Bolingo, are more than what has happened to them. Our powerhouse foster moms, who have raised almost 150 kids personally and professionally, are so much more than this painful and loss-filled detail of their life. Can you imagine if your identity and social standing were solely based on the most horrific part of your life? As if this thing was your most identifiable characteristic. Imagine not being known for your sense of humor, scholastic aptitude, or work ethic - but just for your parents not raising you. Reason 3: We are their family and their home. Bolingo Village is their family - their status as an 'orphan' is gone when they enter the gates. They have a foster mom, they have aunties, they have siblings and cousins, and friends. These are not things that they are expected to have when people label them as orphaned children. Obviously, no one can instantly heal the hurt and trauma caused by losing biological parents; we don't pretend to. As a part of our programming, we offer regular counseling to help them work through their grief and empower them to move forward in their own time as a beloved member of the GOF family.
Papy is our head farmer and has been with us since we purchased the plot of land that is now Bolingo Village. He plays soccer with the kids, stays late when necessary, and is just an absolute pleasure to be around. We are forever grateful for his loyalty to GOF. Papy lent us a few moments of his time to chat. Papy: I am Papy Muniangy. At Bolingo Village, I run the insect farm as well as work in the traditional farm. Question: How long have you been working with GOF? Papy: I have worked with GOF for about 8 years, since 2013. Question: Do you live in the community surrounding Bolingo Village? Papy: Yes, I live around the village, near here. I rent a house with my wife and children. Question: Can you tell us about your family? Papy: I had six children, but one died. So for now I have five children, three daughters, and two sons. Question: How did you learn how to farm? Papy: How did I learn this work as a farmer? Let’s say I grew up in it. My father was a farmer. As I worked with him, I mastered this work. My mom and siblings even worked on the farm. Farming was like a family thing, we grew up in it. Question: How did you learn to farm insects? Papy: I began working with insects 4 years ago, in 2017. I received the training here [in Bolingo Village] with Madam Nicole (former Executive Director of GOF). It was Mama Nelly who personally trained me, and here I am still doing it today. Question: Which do you enjoy more, traditional farming or insect farming? Papy: Insects or working in the garden? I would say farming mpose (palm weevil larva) because I’ve known how to farm in the garden since I was a child, so I have been doing that type of farming all my life. And since I am now educated on how to farm insects and it is something new to me, I like it the most. Question: Does everyone in Congo like to eat insects? Papy: Most people in DRC like insects, but because it’s not easily found everywhere, it can be expensive. So it’s like a delicacy. But yes, I can say most people here enjoy insects. Question: What is your favorite part of Bolingo Village? Papy: My favorite part about Bolingo Village is the way it has grown. When the project started, I was the only employee, and I was told we were going to build a village for children. Today, I am happy to see this project come to life. I see the children living here and the Mamas who take care of them, the clinic for healthcare and the farm for breeding and planting. And it proves that this project is expanding. Papy has been with us for such a long time and we are forever grateful for his loyalty to GOF. We’re blessed to have found such amazing people, like Papy, to be a part of our GOF family. Watch his interview below:
Written By Shelly Reffeitt Do you ever have a made-up image in your head of what someone is going to look like? On my most recent trip to DRC, the Chief of the area surrounding Bolingo Village called and asked to meet with me while I was in town. I had never met him before or any other village chief, for that matter. Honestly, I was a little nervous because it's such an honor to meet with the Chief! Our DRC Director, Ety, is a Congolese native and is always dressed in business casual attire that would fit in anywhere. However, I couldn't help but conjure up images in my head of an older man dressed in traditional African clothing. No matter how much Ety told me the Chief would look similar to him, I couldn't get this picture out of my head. Meeting day arrived, and Ety and I made our way to the Chief's home. As per usual, Ety played the role of translator, given that I don't speak Lingala. He also had two other crucial tasks: introducing me to the Chief and ensuring that I didn't violate any cultural norms. The last person I would want to accidentally offend is the Village Chief! Though the Chief did not have the appearance that I had envisioned, he was still very intimidating! He had bodyguards pillared on each side of him and multiple cell phones - a much more modern Village Chief than I expected. Without a doubt, I will remember him for years to come. The meeting itself was very successful. Before anything else, we presented him with his gift, as is customary in Congolese culture. He was pleased. Following that, we began discussing a life-giving project that will benefit his entire community. GOF has committed to digging a well in a centrally located area for the whole village to access readily. We're very excited to continue working with the Chief to get this well up and running as soon as possible. My favorite part of this meeting was the realization that it gave me about GOF. I love that we’re not only caring for orphaned children and widowed women, but we are reaching into the community to love our neighbors. As we grow, we will continue to provide more jobs, increased clinic services, clean drinking water, tasty crops and livestock, and prayerfully, much, much more!
Empowering communities through impactful programs, our nonprofit is dedicated to creating lasting positive change for those in need.