Centre Orphelinat Tumaini was established in 2001 to respond to the growing needs of orphans in Lubumbashi, one of the largest cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The orphanage is home to 53 children between the ages of 3 and 18, many of whom were rescued from the streets or placed in the home by the government’s social affairs department (DIVAS).
Tumaini works hard to provide the children with a safe place to live, along with food, clothing, healthcare, and education. However, with limited resources and rising costs, these needs have remained a significant daily challenge.
Through the support of generous donors and local partners, NAKUONA e.V. has been able to step in and bring meaningful change to the lives of the children at Tumaini. We have:

Maison D’Accueil, meaning “House of Welcome,” is an orphanage located in the heart of Lubumbashi, one of the largest cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This orphanage is home to 118 children, ranging in age from 2 to 20 years old. Despite dedicated efforts, the facility struggles to meet the growing demands of caring for these vulnerable children.
The children currently endure difficult living conditions, including leaking roofs, cramped sleeping spaces and worn-out mattresses. While four devoted overseers work tirelessly to care for them, much more support is needed to ease their burden and remind them they are not alone. The orphanage continues to welcome new children, as many have no other place to turn.
The children at Maison D’Accueil have faced unimaginable hardships. Some have lost both parents and were brought in from the streets, while others have lost one parent and, due to extreme poverty or illness, are unable to be cared for by their remaining family.
Providing adequate housing, clothing, food, healthcare, and education for all 118 children remains a daily and overwhelming challenge. Like many orphanages in the Congo, Maison D’Accueil receives no financial support from the government, other charitable organizations, or churches. Its survival depends solely on the generosity of a few individuals, which is insufficient to meet the needs.
NAKUONA e.V. learned of this orphanage through trusted local contacts. This is precisely why we exist: to reach those still unreached, offering practical, tangible support that improves the children’s quality of life, relieves the orphanage’s burden, and shares the unchanging truth of God’s love with them.