The talk about the project started at the airport and ended at 02:00 in the morning.The next day, the conversation continued during breakfast at my brother's house. Around the breakfast table sit 4 passionate people. There was talk and discussion about the project with street children. We agree that it is a priority to get to talk to different people who work with street children in D.R.Congo.

It is a privilege to experience the huge passion of my loved ones about helping street children and orphans to create a better future. My 3 siblings at the breakfast table understand what these children are going through.

We get it. We get them.

Our childhood/adolescent life was not a bed of roses. But we made it.

True to tradition, I always start by visiting my mother first when I am in D.R.Congo and this time is no exception. I spent all of Thursday with my mother and the rest of the family.

In addition to chatting, Congo's Children project was the focus of both the younger family members and the older ones. Interest in becoming a member grew quickly. The young people in the family and some of their friends have registered at MAISON VIGALEX and will participate in our first international Zoom meeting on Saturday.

I am proud of these Congolese young people. They want to help children in need in D.R.Congo.

Tomorrow, Friday the 21 of april, we will meet with some children who live on the street.

We have an important appointment.Our team in Congo has prepared for us to meet with some street children to distribute some clothes to them and give them a drink together at a restaurant.

I was amazed at how much it takes to be allowed to help a street child.I was even more amazed that the world of street children is a well-organized, controlled and dictatorial environment.Many street children in Kinshasa belong to a group where there is a leader. These leaders are not God's best children. They provide protection for the children, but at the same time they demand a lot from the children. I get the feeling that they own these children, that the children belong to them.To earn protection, the children must share with their leader everything they have been able to obtain during the day.If it is something they have stolen or something they have obtained in some way, they must share or hand it over to the manager. No freedom and no choice for these children. These leaders are former street children.

In order to contact the children so that we could distribute some clothes and soft drinks to them, we had to ask permission from their manager. For the manager to give permission, he had to have 30 dollars. It was payment so that we could talk to the children and give them clothes and soft drinks. I have to admit that I was conflicted with myself about giving this man money. I thought that by giving him the money I am helping to motivate him to continue the horribly manipulative and dictatorial method he uses. On this other side I wanted to help these children. I wanted to help them away from this environment. I wanted to sit with them and look them in the eye and listen. Really listen, even if it was only today and for a few hours. They were to have a different experience today. Drink a soda and get some clothes without being afraid. We chose to pay the 30 dollars and their manager gave us permission. The time with these children was both pleasant and sad. There was also some laughing.

Now the Children of the Congo must figure out how we can help these children and remove them from this toxic environment.

Their life stories and narratives were harsh. The time spent with these children was also rewarding and very educational.Both the children and the people at VIGALEX Home were in tears.These children need a safe environment.

The children's stories will be available on our website in a few weeks.

Together we can do a lot.

So long ❤