The Story of Kitabataba Community

Kitabataba is a township located on the outskirts of the bustling city of Likasi in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It has become one of the region’s poorest of the poor communities, devastated by the civil war in 1993, which left behind a failing infrastructure. Along with many orphaned children, there are many vulnerable families living in crowded slums like Kitabataba who have fled the recent conflict in the eastern part of the DRC. Additionally, with a lack of institutional models of care such as clinics, hospitals and schools, children become even more vulnerable.

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175 Children currently supported

14 Care Workers Coordinated by Charlotte

Basic Services Started in 2012

8 KM from the Likasi Local Office

In 2011, Hands at Work began walking in Kitabataba, mobilising local church leaders to take up the Biblical mandate to care for the poorest of the poor in their community. Out of this, volunteer Care Workers from a number of the local churches raised their hands, wanting to be a part of serving the most vulnerable. United as a team, the Care Workers began identifying the most vulnerable children in their area, visiting them in their homes, bringing parental love and care. The Care Workers were feeding the children with what little they could from their own resources. In 2012, the Kitabataba Community Based Organisation (CBO) was officially formed and began providing the three essential services of a hot, nutritious meal daily, access to education and support with basic health care for 50 of the most vulnerable children in Kitabataba. Today, Care Workers from the Kitabataba CBO are caring for 150 children, bringing support, encouragement and hope for a brighter future.

When the Kitabataba CBO began, the Care Point was being operated out of a local church. However, as the need within the community grew, the space became too small and unsustainable. In 2018, a plot of land was purchased for the Kitabataba CBO, which has and will continue to provide opportunities for the growth of the Life Centre. In 2020, a number of projects were completed at the Life Centre: a new secure toilet was constructed, and the kitchen shelter and two adjoining rooms were reinforced, ensuring that the children have a safe place to receive their daily meal, especially during the rainy season.  

In Kitabataba, Care Workers know that providing the three essential services on their own is not enough to help their children grow into healthy and whole adults. In response, they are committed to knowing each child by name and visiting them in their homes to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges. 

Relationship Groups are a safe place where Care Workers in Kitabataba can share their challenges and find healing through the attentiveness of one another and the love of Christ. Having learned how to help carry the burdens of their fellow Care Workers and bring healing through Relationship Groups, they are also committed to bringing that same level of spiritual and emotional healing to the children and their families when they visit their homes and come to the Life Centre. 

Meet Remy

In 2014, Care Workers were doing Holy Home Visits when they came across Remy*. Hearing his family’s story and seeing his severe malnourishment, evident by his swollen body, the Care Workers knew they needed to respond. In 2012, Remy’s father left his family, leaving his wife to shoulder the responsibility of providing for her children. Leaving early in the morning and only returning in the evening, Remy’s mother wanders throughout different communities, trying to sell vegetables with the hope she will earn a small profit to buy the food staples most needed. Today, nine-year-old Remy and his three younger siblings don’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from. They know they can come to the Life Centre where they will not only receive a hot, nutritious meal – which has helped to improve their overall health – but be greeted by Care Workers like Pelazie, who know and love them deeply.

The local Hands at Work team in Likasi currently supports seven Community Based Organisations, which exist to care for the most vulnerable in their communities. The office provides training, networking, and encouragement to those Community Based Organisations like Kitabataba.  It also gives administrative support, including helping with funding proposals, monitoring and evaluation, bookkeeping and reporting to donors.  

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