MEET OUR PEOPLE

Velderine, Grace, Ildevert, Princess and Manasse Mienanzambie were born in Congo.  Their father worked for the army and they lived happily with their parents in their house in the army barracks, besides the country’s arms storage facility. On Sunday, 4^th March 2012 an event happened that changed their lives forever.  The entire extended family had gathered at their home to celebrate their uncle’s birthday. The children went to church with their aunt. Whilst they were away, an enormous explosion occurred in the arms storage facility beside their house, killing hundreds in the area, including all their relatives. Even their home was completely destroyed by the blast. Manasse, the youngest, was only 5 years old at the time.

The children never went back to the ruins of their home. They were taken to a place of safety, where it was found out that they had a grandmother in South Africa, and they came here.  Mercy House is unable to accommodate them, but we have managed to get them all into school and assist them in many other ways. It has been our privilege. The photos below were taken soon after we met them. Left photo from left to right: Ildevert, Manasse, Grace and Princess.