Page 10 - Annual Report 2019

STORIES OF SUCCESS: GEORIME
THE HEART OF A MOTHER
A child of war, Georime never knew her parents. They died in a rebel insurgence when she was only six-months old. During the 1990s and early 2000s, war tormented the Democratic Re- public of Congo. Many children received an inheritance of trau- ma from the ongoing insurgent warfare. Georime felt this trau- ma deeply. She longed for what she had never known: a family.
A long period of suffering marked Georime’s earliest memories. She and sixteen other orphans were placed into the care of nuns. The nuns did not have the resources to care for those suf- fering children. They desperately needed help.
As the war continued, it became increasingly dangerous to trav- el. Word spread of a place in Goma where orphans could re- ceive care, but the trip would be difficult. Georime gathered her belongings, which all fit into one small plastic bag. She only owned a single set of clothes.
Many children got sick on the road, but they arrived safely in Goma to be placed into the care of PROLASA, a mission- ary organization. This was an improvement from Georime’s former life, but it was no long- term home for children. In ad- dition, rumors spread that the entire city of Goma would soon be taken by armed troops.
That is when International Chil- dren’s Care stepped in. On the island of Idjwi in Lake Kivu, a special spot of land had been purchased for children. No war or fighting had ever taken place on that island. There, a new Children’s Village would be built.
Georime was one of the first children to live at Patmos Chil- dren’s Village. Houses were built where mothers and fathers could care for children as a lov- ing family. Each day the chil- dren received food and physical care. Soon, those afflicted with disease began to heal. The chil- dren also attended school and worship services, where they learned about a heavenly father who cares for orphans.
As Georime grew up, many of her ICC siblings attended col- lege or work training, but noth- ing seemed to be a good fit for her. One thing was certain, though. Georime always en- joyed helping her house mother with the children in the home. She enjoyed the children and the children loved her.
Georime eventually married. Her Patmos family supported her marriage with excitement. Surrounded by good-hearted people who loved her with all their hearts, Georime realized that she had a true family at the Patmos Children’s Village.
Years passed, and then in 2013 Georime made the choice to re-
turn home. With her husband, she decided to become a house parent at Patmos Children’s Vil- lage. Georime is now providing love and care to children who need it the most, like Daniel in the story on page five.
“Since I started working, I have been so happy to care for chil- dren,” Says Georime. “I know that I am reciprocating the kind- ness I was treated with since childhood. I remain thankful to the sponsors who helped me up to maturity. You have been my savior as Jesus has been our Savior to all of us. My thanks go straight to God for his protec- tion and care.”
Georime is just one of many ICC mothers around the world who go above and beyond to care for hurt and healing chil- dren. Because of your support, the children are loved deeply by house mothers who treat them as their own biological family.
Sponsorship is a life-chang- ing blessing to children such as Georime. If you would like to sponsor a child, visit Inter- nationalChildrensCare.org or call 800-422-7729.
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