On Their Own...
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A Sister of Notre Dame de Namur tends to twins orphaned at birth in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have been caring for orphans since our foundress Julie Billiart rescued abandoned street children at the close of the French Revolution. Today, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, our Sisters shelter, feed, care for and protect orphans.The first five years of life are perilous for any impoverished child, but they are especially so for impoverished Congolese children. Just five years ago, underweight Congolese infants -- especially premature twins -- died at birth. Because of electricity generated by our African Photovoltaic Project, incubators are becoming standard medical equipment at our mission clinics and hospitals. Access to improved health care and equipment creates a supporting environment for the care of children. Please support our efforts.
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But Not Alone
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Our Sisters teach orphaned children that joy is an integral part of God's universe and that there is love enough for all.
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At our Congolese missions, older orphans help care for smaller children. All the children -- even those as young as three or four -- participate in the never-ending challenge of procuring food. In the Congo, if a child does not work, that child does not eat. It's as stark and dire as that. In the harsh climate and collapsed economy of the Congo, older children work in the fields and gardens, while the younger ones mostly prepare juice to sell in exchange for food. Our Sisters teach the children how to take charge of their lives and become creative, resilient members of society.
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