Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. ~Alan Cohen
From a very young age Lubuya felt a deep desire to serve her country of birth, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly vulnerable children. Over the years this desire grew and began to slowly take shape into what NAKUONA e.V. now represents – a charity with a heart to help improve the quality of life for orphans by practically showing them the love of Christ – as it helps to meet their physical day-to-day needs and lighten the load for the orphanages. NAKUONA e.V. is the fulfillment and expression of a long nurtured desire to be God’s hands, feet and heart to those in need.
The moment that set the wheels in motion was while watching an advert detailing that approximately 3.1 million children die from hunger and malnutrition around the world, every year.(UNICEF, 2018a). From that moment on, Lubuya and Stefan ‘put their hands to the plough’ and began to actively work toward setting up a charity that would let the children know that their existence matters, their lives matter. They desire to play a part, however small, in helping the children who have lived through the horror of being orphaned become constructive contributors to society with a positive outlook on life. After many years of carrying this vision and desire, the charity came to life in May of 2019, together with a hand full of friends who agreed to be part of the vision. From its inception to date, NAKUONA e.V. is and will continue to be committed to improving the lives of orphaned children and reminding them that they are seen.
Lubuya and Stefan believe that the practice of seeing, truly seeing will awaken compassion and spark a desire to do your part in meeting the needs of those around you, however big, however small.
Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. ~Alan Cohen
From a very young age Lubuya felt a deep desire to serve her country of birth, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly vulnerable children. Over the years this desire grew and began to slowly take shape into what NAKUONA e.V. now represents – a charity with a heart to help improve the quality of life for orphans by practically showing them the love of Christ – as it helps to meet their physical day-to-day needs and lighten the load for the orphanages. NAKUONA e.V. is the fulfillment and expression of a long nurtured desire to be God’s hands, feet and heart to those in need.
The D.R.C. is one of the poorest countries in the world. For orphaned children, that poverty touches every part of life: their safety, health, education, and future. Their reality is shaped by scarcity, and their futures are too often limited by circumstance.
This is where NAKUONA e.V. steps in.
Our mission is to support some of the most vulnerable children by making orphanages more liveable and restoring hope as we provide food, hygiene articles, shelter, education and spiritual encouragement through Christian children’s books and bibles. Ultimately, we want the children to know that they are seen and loved by God and because of that love, we are moved with compassion to serve them.
“Nakuona” means “I see you” in Swahili.
This is our mission — that no child should feel invisible or forgotten.
Lives are changed by practical acts of kindness, motivated and fueled by love and compassion.
We single out orphanages in need in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Donations are collected to help meet specific needs.
Orphans and orphanages are provided with direct, practical and effective help.
Every child should be seen
As a charity, our goal is to create real, meaningful opportunities for people like you to make a tangible difference — right where it’s needed most.
There are over 2 million orphaned children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many of whom lack access to necessities like food, toiletries, safe and comfortable shelter, and education.
Since 2019, NAKUONA e.V., with the help of generous supporters like you, has been on a mission to change this story—one project, one orphanage at a time. We strive to improve children’s quality of life, make orphanages more liveable, and share the love of Jesus.
We partner closely with trusted local contacts who help us connect directly with orphanages. Together, we identify their most urgent needs and mobilize resources to address them. Whenever possible, we work with local vendors to support the local economy.
Each orphanage faces unique challenges, so our support is tailored accordingly. Our projects range from providing essential food and toiletries, to renovating facilities, supporting education, and supplying Christian books and Bibles.
Whether through food, clean living conditions, education, or simple acts of kindness, we want to show these children that they are not forgotten. That their lives matter. That they are seen.
We work hand in hand with trusted locals who help connect us to the orphanages. We identify and evaluate their most pressing needs and mobilize support and funds to help meet those needs. We make an effort to works with local vendors with the aim of supporting the local economy. The needs vary from orphanage to orphanage, and our support is geared toward meeting the specific needs faced by the orphanage we are supporting. The projects we undertake range from providing desperately needed food and toiletries to refurbishments, education as well as supplying christian books and Bibles.
All we do and our values have their foundation on Biblical principles of love, compassion and generosity toward those in need. Our impact is publicaly shared though pictures on our website; you can find all our completed projects in our ‘completed projects’ page.
Every child should be seen
As a charity, our goal is to create real, meaningful opportunities for people like you to make a tangible difference — right where it’s needed most. There are over 2 million orphaned children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many of whom lack access to necessities like food, toiletries, safe and comfortable shelter, and education. Since 2019, NAKUONA e.V., with the help of generous supporters like you, has been on a mission to change this story—one project, one orphanage at a time. We strive to improve children’s quality of life, make orphanages more liveable, and share the love of Jesus.
Recipient name: NAKUONA e.V.
Bank name: Spar- und Kreditbank eG
Account number/IBAN: DE12 5009 2100 0001 7676 07
Swift code/BIC: GENODE51BH2