KIDS IN CRISIS

A new baby comes to St. Kizito. The first goal is to provide medical and emotional attention and then a long-term home with supportive care.

OVER the past two months, St. Kizito has taken in three newborns whose parents died fleeing a new spate of militia attacks in the region north of Bunia. Since March, militia have raided around 120 villages in Djugu territory, raping and killing and setting fire to homes. Over 200,000 people have been displaced, many of them now living in squalid camps around Bunia where clean water, food, and medicine are scarce.

A few weeks ago, our workers received Baby Daniel, whose mother died from a hemorrhage while giving birth at a makeshift hospital after running from her village. Not long after, we received Baby Arona whose mother died during a cesarean section in a little place called Lopa after fleeing her home.

Around the same time, Baby Patience arrived. She was born along the road while her mother was escaping Pimbo village, which militia had ransacked and pillaged. Her mother became ill after the delivery, and since penicillin or even aspirin are luxuries to those streaming down the muddy roads, her mother died. Relatives took Patience to the displaced camp in Bunia, but the conditions were so unsanitary that they brought her to St. Kizito, where she is safe and thriving.
As violence continues and more people are displaced, we anticipate many more children arriving to the orphanage.

That’s why we need your financial help today. We’re constantly in need of baby formula and fresh milk, and as fighting blocks the trade routes from Uganda, the prices are only going up. Please help with $20, $50, or $100. A little goes a long way.