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A Special Initiative - The Mabakas' Story
Dear friends, Please support in helping bring two Congolese children, Christ-Juste and Grace Mabaka, to Canada. The children recently lost both their father (2014) and mother (2018) and are still living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their uncle, JM Mabaka, who is a member of our church, has formally adopted them but does not have the means to get them here before the children's Visas expire in mid-August. Grace is a beautiful, precocious, outgoing eight-year-old girl whose dream is to move to Canada to eventually become a doctor. Her brother Christ-Juste is 14 years old, he is more of an introvert, loves to read, and is a little a comedian, always making the people around him laugh. Both children are baptised Catholic Christians, they are healthy, educated, and kind and deserve a chance here in The North.  
 
They currently live in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, where in addition to dealing with the distress of losing both parents, they risk being subject to the brutality and violence occurring daily in the city. Right now they are being bounced around from relative to relative, and more than anything want to escape their situation and come to Canada to join their uncle JM.  
 
JM Mabaka is a kind-hearted and generous man who desperately wants to make sure these children are safe by giving them a home and a bright future in Canada. JM left the DRC in 2014 after caring for his late brother who suffered a stroke and who was paralyzed for many years. Jean Marie, now a permanent resident in Canada, is a full-time student studying Economics at York University, and also works as an Uber Driver. He will gain full-time employment in the next year, and is doing everything he can to get Christ and Grace here.

So, this is where you and I come in. We are aiming to raise $15 000 in the next 15 days to pay for transportation and temporary housing for when they arrive. We have social services in Toronto ready to help upon arrival. One of the beautiful things about our city is the vast array of services that have been developed to support refugee and newcomer families. We have had good support already from the Archdiocese of Toronto, the United Church of Canada, COSI, and others.  
 
We have launched a GoFundMe page called "Bringing two Congolese Children to Canada" (link below), where you can read more about their story and show your support by donating and sharing the link! We are infinitely grateful for your thoughts, prayers, and generous support. Let's get these kids to safety and freedom in Canada!  
 
https://www.gofundme.com/bringingtwocongolesechildrentocanada
  
If you would like to help, would prefer to make a contribution by cheque or want more information, please contact David Saffer at: david@davidsaffer.com