An Update on the New Hope Center (August 2024)

Above: A group of young people performing at NHC for the celebration of Africa Children’s day on June 16.

There is a lot of despair these days in Goma and the surrounding area of the northeastern area of DR Congo. The fighting in that area between the army of the DR Congo and the rebel group called M-23 is ongoing and has led to over a half million IDPs (Internally Displaced People) flooding into Goma and living in squalid conditions in camps that provide flimsy, temporary shelter and surviving as best they can.

New Hope Center continues to function, bringing hope and some moments of joy to at least some of the many grieving and often traumatized children and young people in the area. Above is one such “moment of joy” that took place on June 16 of this year when 252 children, young people and adult facilitators came to NHC to celebrate “African Children’s Day”.

And so life goes on in spite of much fear and uncertainty.

The two of us recognize that at our ages (83 and 84 this year), we are in the final chapter of our lives. Before bowing out, however, we want to do everything we can to assure the continuation of this work that has brought hope and comfort to many children and young people in the eastern area of the DR Congo. We have been able to inform and encourage donors who have made it possible for NHC to now own two apartment complexes that in the month of June of this year provided $2,450 in rental income for the center. We would like to help the center with one final project that will provide additional financial support. The proposal from the team in Goma is to construct five or six small, commercial buildings that can be rented out to individuals who would like to have space for a small store. We believe that once this project is completed, it will provide additional income, around $300 to $500 a month, and so with the funds from this project and the ones from the two previous projects, the staff at NHC will be able to continue the work they are doing in Goma and surrounding areas providing psychosocial help to grieving and often traumatized children and young people and also helping them stay in school. We believe If they have adequate resources, our Congolese colleagues can continue this important work on their own well into the future.

We are acutely aware of the unfavorable conditions in this area of DR Congo that could complicate or even halt the carrying out of this project, especially the fighting that continues very close to NHC that obviously has people on edge and makes life very uncertain. Shelling has taken place close to the center, but so far it has escaped damage. Of course, we cannot be certain what the months ahead will bring. We will, however, do our best to keep you informed of the progress of this project and what is happening in this part of DR Congo.

We cannot say “thank you” enough for those of you who have helped all these years to support this vital ministry to children and young people in eastern DR Congo. We believe that we can count on your continued support until the realization of this final project.

We follow the news from DR Congo by going online and accessing Okapi News releases. If you would like to have more news of DR Congo, the following Web site, https://www.hirondelle.org/en/democratic-republic-of-congo-okapi, will be of interest to you. It is in English and provides a good summary of important news from DR Congo.

As for the two of us, suffice it to say that we have our aches and pains. Anita suffers from Parkinson’s disease, but she has managed it very well. As for me, Bruce, I recently developed bad pain in my left hip and leg along with a thick, stiff feeling in both feet. I recently underwent an epidural steroid injection to help with the pain, and it has definitely helped. PTL! We will appreciate your prayers both for NHC and for us as we seek to finish well what we started twenty-five years ago. Again, many thanks for your prayers, your support, and the words of encouragement we receive from you from time to time.



Many Blessings,

Bruce and Anita Paden