Fundraising for the Congo Children Trust
Michel Vernier is raising money for Congo Children Trust
Story
In remembrance of Elodie
I am raising money for the Congo Children Trust. The Trust supports vulnerable street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
"Our flagship project, Kimbilio, works in the southern city of Lubumbashi supporting over 500 children each month, with the aim of reuniting them with their families. Kimbilio runs an outreach centre offering food, emotional support and healthcare; as well as four homes with holistic family settings for children under our care."
Why am I doing this?
I have regularly donated for "save the children " and "WWF" for years and still do, but when I read Siddharth Kara’s COBALT Red back last year I felt incredibly touched by the story and thought I have to support in this way. Kara's book describes in brutal detail about the misery Congo's children have to go through every day to survive. A world I cannot imagine and no one wants their or any children to go through. I initially thought I will save and collect some money to get me a nice present for my milestone birthday as many of us do as I hear. But the best present is the feeling that you can just make that little difference I guess.
Why the Children of the DRC?
At no place on the planet should children suffer, but I am feeling in particular touched by the situation in the DRC. I know we won't change how things just play out on our planet, but still the children of the DRC deserve that we do think about them, and we are all in it. Even distant problems matter:
Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. More than 70 percent of the world's supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. (Cobalt Red)
Who is Elodie?
Siddharth Kara met so many poor and traumatised children during his research for his book in the DRC, but Elodie stuck with me the most when I was reading the book on my daily commute to work. Elodie, a 15-year old girl who hopefully found peace in "heaven" Kara and we all can only hope.
Why the Congo Children trust?
I just love the projects and how the relentless team on the ground provide support for the children, all overseen by founder Ian Harvey and the team in Manchester. The projects include the Kimbilio Day centre, reuniting families, provide clean water, food among many other things to make that little or rather big difference. As much as reading Cobalt Red or other reports about the artisanal mining brought tears into my eyes, the smiles of the children who were and are lucky enough to have found support by the trust, brings me a smile on my face.
My promise: When contributing it will not only make some of the children smile, but it will make you smile!
Please join and help!
