As we come to the close of one year and step into a brand-new one, we want to begin with a heartfelt thank you to all our friends, partners, churches, and supporters who have walked this journey with us. Your prayers, generosity, encouragement, and belief in the work we do have carried us through challenges and victories alike. Because of you, lives have been touched and hope has been restored. As this new year begins, we also extend a warm invitation to new partners to join us—there is still so much more to do, and together we can go even further.
One of our biggest milestones right now is the two-level Village Widows/Women Shelter, which is currently under construction. We are excited to report that in just the past two weeks; we have made remarkable progress. A great deal of work has been accomplished: all the string lines were completed, the front lines were dug, the rebars and columns were put in place, and construction of the two sides has begun, now rising to height. Seeing this structure take shape has been deeply encouraging for our team and for the women who will one day call this place a refuge. Below this post, you will find attached videos showing the progress made so far.
That said, the journey is far from over. We are still fundraising $98,000 to bring both levels of the shelter to full completion and to ensure that much of the remaining work is done well and sustainably. This project is demanding—financially, physically, and emotionally—but we firmly believe that step by step, we will get there. What we need most right now is more friends and partners to come on board. Kindly share this update with your church members, friends, and family, and invite them to be part of what God is doing through this work.
For those who are new to Our Village Outreach, we are embarking on one of our most impactful and ambitious projects yet: the construction of this two-level Women and Widows Shelter. This center is designed to be far more than just a building. It will be a safe haven, a place of healing, and a foundation for empowerment for women and widows in our community. The planned facility will include a Medical Centre/Dispensary, Sewing Shops, and a range of income-generating activities. These initiatives are intended to equip women with practical, hands-on skills that lead to self-sufficiency. Through this work, we aim to restore dignity, independence, and purpose—creating a place where healing is paired with opportunity and where hope is renewed through action. Be a part of this noble cause; together, we are changing lives.
We also want to urgently draw your attention to another critical area of our mission: our Outreach in the Congo. Recently, Marguerite OVC in Goma, Congo, was attacked as a result of the ongoing civil unrest and conflict affecting many regions of the country. This attack caused many children from the orphanage to flee, leaving them scattered across different refugee camps. While this situation is heartbreaking, we are actively responding. With the help of trusted contacts in both Uganda and Congo, our team is working tirelessly to track and locate these children. So far, we have successfully tracked 90 children, and efforts are ongoing to bring the remaining ones to safety.
This emergency response has come at a significant cost. Funds are being used for transportation, accommodation, and coordination for those on the ground, led by Pastor Phillip from Uganda, who is overseeing the tracking efforts. At this time, we are humbly asking for $7,000 from any well-wishers, friends, or partners who can help us meet this urgent need. Your support will help us reunite these children, bring them back to safety, and begin the process of rebuilding what was lost.
Please know that we are forever grateful to all our partners who stand with us. At the same time, we are prayerfully seeking more partners to join us. There is a lot ahead of us this year—especially with the Village Widows/Women Shelter—and we cannot do it alone. Join us, walk with us, and be a part of these life-changing ventures. Together, we can bring hope where it is needed most.