A safe haven in DR Congo

In 2025, supporters in England and Wales provided vital support to Mill Hill Missionaries serving struggling communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Fr Patrick MHM needed to build a hostel for 30 vulnerable, war-affected children in Mose – one of the most impoverished villages in eastern DRC; lacking electricity, clean water and basic infrastructure. He explains: ‘In our area, we experience a deep poverty, displacement and a lack of opportunity. Armed groups create fear, families are forced to move and children miss school.

Fr Patrick went on to share:

‘Beyond the violence, there is also another kind of suffering: children growing up without access to education, stability or hope. Many walk long distances to school, others stop going altogether. Some are orphans or come from families who cannot provide even one meal a day.

‘This is why the hostel is so important. It is not just a building; it is a response to a crisis. It offers children a safe place to live, study and dream again.’

Together we are building futures

While the local community has already contributed financially and is committed to ensuring the sustainability and safety of the project, the building materials needed were beyond their means. Fr Patrick shared: ‘The goal is to provide a sanctuary where children can focus on their personal development and education and overcome the hardships they’ve endured.

‘Education is the only way out of the desperate cycle of poverty. Many war-displaced children in our parish fall prey to anyone who can give them food. In Mose village, motor and taxi drivers often use vulnerable young people, especially girls, for sex, drugs and crime. This results in a high rate of prostitution, juvenile delinquency, sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancies.’

Celebrating Mass together as a community

Finding solutions; sharing hope

‘Our hostels care for children aged 11 to 17, offering them a stable, nurturing environment during their most formative years. Upon completing their studies, some will return to their villages, ready to embark on new lives, while others may seek work in the capital, Kinshasa. In addition to formal schooling, we provide life education and language classes in English and French, equipping them with practical skills and boosting their confidence for the future.

‘The support from Red Box supporters is not just financial, it is deeply spiritual. It reminds us that we are not alone in this mission. When we receive your help, we see more than a donation; we see faith in action! We see people who choose to share what they have with love. That gives us courage.’

Because of you…

‘Your support is already transforming lives,’ says Fr Patrick. ‘A child who had no bed, now sleeps in dignity; a student who had lost hope, now holds a book again; a young girl who feared for her future, now dares to dream.

‘For us as missionaries, your generosity renews our strength. It tells us: continue, do not give up, the Church is with you. The hostel has been built with great sacrifice, but it is not yet finished. We still need beds, water systems, solar energy and basic furnishings to make it fully functional for the children.

‘Behind every wall of this hostel, there is a story: a child who has lost parents, a family that cannot afford school, a future that is uncertain.

‘You have already begun something beautiful here. But we ask you: please help us to complete it. When you support this project, you are not just giving money, you are giving a child a future.

And one day, these children will not only remember your generosity, they will become the hope of this nation. Thank you once again to you and to Missio for your generous support and trust.’

Thank you so much for everything you do to support the work of mission through the Red Box. You can help missionaries share God’s love with communities around the world, through your prayers and donations. Please donate by CLICKING HERE today>>