The Kinshasa Province
The MPASA Region I
In 2001, the Congo Partnership launched support of the Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center in a refugee area outside Kinshasa (initiated by UMCOR -United Methodist Committee of Relief) during the refugee crisis in the late 1990’s when refugees fled to Congo from South Sudan, Angola, and east Congo. All the Democratic Republic of Congo was engaged in civil conflict making the first years of the Partnership challenging. But God continued to provide, allowing the U.S. Partners to travel to Congo in 2002 and again in 2004 as the conflict ceased.
The Mpasa Region houses three of our Kinshasa Province Programs.
- The Mpasa Medical Center
- The Children's Nutrition Program
- The Elderly Nutrition Program
The Children's' Ministry Program is taught in and around the capital city of Kinshasa.
Tagline
Children's Ministry of Kinshasa
Class Session Structure
Each class session begins with music, creating an engaging and joyful atmosphere where children have the opportunity to learn and sing praise songs about Jesus. This enjoyable start sets a positive tone for the rest of the session and encourages participation.
Following the music, children are introduced to Bible stories. To reinforce the lessons and make them memorable, the children participate in drama presentations. These activities allow them to act out the stories they have learned, deepening their understanding through hands-on involvement. Additionally, the children contribute their creativity by making costumes, puppets, and props, further enhancing their learning experience.
Leadership and Training
The ministry is currently led by Director Henriette Kumakana Lundula, who collaborates with a dedicated team of trained leaders. Together, they organize training sessions for teachers and helpers who are interested in providing Christian educational opportunities for children. These training classes are designed to equip volunteers with essential skills and resources, ensuring they can create a supportive and dynamic environment for all participants.
MPASA Medical Facility
Launch and Early Support
In 2001, the Congo Partnership was officially launched, initiating support for the Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center, located in a refugee area outside Kinshasa. This center was initially started by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) amid the refugee crisis of the late 1990s, when people fled to Congo from regions such as South Sudan, Angola, and eastern Congo.
Facility Improvements and Service Expansion
Significant enhancements have been made to the Mpasa Medical Center, including the 2017 construction of a new Pediatric Center featuring two surgical suites, as well as renovations to the existing maternity and other buildings. This facility provides significantly improved conditions for patient care, with clean and well-furnished operating rooms equipped with cabinetry for storing surgical instruments, sterile supplies, and medications. Specialized equipment—including an incubator for newborns, an ultrasound machine, and a suction machine for surgery—were also acquired. With two solar-powered refrigerators, the government now stocks blood for transfusions, addressing a critical need that previously resulted in deaths from hemorrhage during surgery and childbirth. The pediatric center includes a dedicated room for children, allowing separation from adults with communicable diseases, and an improved laboratory for accurate diagnostics. The installation of solar power has enabled the medical center to operate with electricity around the clock for the first time. These improvements have elevated the quality of care provided to thousands of Mpasa residents. The center has also become the hub of medical care for the entire community, thanks to new government medical services such as vaccinations and family planning.
Recognition and New Government Programs
In 2019, Mpasa Medical Center was recognized for its high-quality medical care and designated as a site for several government programs. These include family planning, vaccinations, new initiatives for people with handicapping conditions, and a blood bank. Life-saving equipment, such as incubators and ultrasound machines, has further improved patient outcomes.
Training and Workforce Development
Mpasa Medical Center serves as a training center for medical students from John Wesley University, thereby expanding the workforce and preparing new professionals for the future. The Partnership continues to support Mpasa by purchasing essential equipment like incubators, microscopes, and ultrasound machines, which have proven vital in saving lives. The center remains a key maternity and pediatric facility for the larger community.
Leadership and Ongoing Support
Under the leadership of Dr. Adolphe Yamba Yamba, Mpasa Medical Center continues to serve thousands of refugees and impoverished individuals in the greater Mpasa area.
MPASA Children's Nutrition Program
Early Morning Preparations
The staff begin their day very early, committed to preparing meal for the children attending the morning school session. Unlike conventional kitchens equipped with cafeteria facilities and commercial stoves, the staff here must prepare two fires for the cooking pots. This work takes place under a tin roof, exposed on the sides to the open air.
While two staff members focus on getting the fires started, others carry large bags of grain and sugar, along with cooking pots and paddles for stirring. The presence of a freshwater well on the property is a tremendous advantage, allowing water to be easily transported in small jugs to the cooking area.
Background and Establishment
In 2001, the Congo Partnership was officially launched to address urgent needs arising from the refugee crisis of the late 1990s. The Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center, located in a refugee area outside Kinshasa, became a central focus of this initiative. The Center had originally been started by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) to provide relief to refugees fleeing from South Sudan, Angola, and eastern Congo during this tumultuous period.
Ongoing Support and Impact
Since its inception in 2001, the Congo Partnership has continued to support the Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center. One of the core services provided is a nutrition program for children in the community.
Currently, the program feeds approximately 190 to 230 children, five days a week, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive consistent and reliable nourishment.
Children that are severely malnourished are placed in a special nutrition program with a supplement provided by World Vision.
Preparing for Serving
As the cooks work together on the meal, other staff members carry serving bowls and spoons to the building where the children’s meals will be served. Bread is provided by the government to accompany the meal. As children begin to arrive, they are organized, seating them in rows on the floor in preparation for their meal.
When the food is ready, two staff members carry the hot, heavy pots inside the building to begin serving.
Mealtime Rituals
Before eating, the children sing a song of blessing, and one child is chosen to bless the meal. Afterward, the staff begin serving, and the children receive their bowls, gathering in groups to enjoy their meal with friends.
MPASA Elderly Nutrition Program
Mpasa’s Support for the Elderly
Mpasa offers a program for approximately 60 elderly women and men. Many participants, who are no longer able to work or contribute productively, are often shunned by society—even by their own families. Among them, many women are widowed. Twice a month, they women gather for fellowship and worship, creating a supportive community. During these gatherings, they receive a bag containing rice, beans, and fish, which they can take home to prepare for themselves and their families. This provision not only addresses their nutritional needs but also fosters self-esteem and encouragement.
Scriptural Mandate and Reflections
Scriptures admonish us to “care for the widows,” and in these moments, we see the face of Jesus so clearly in the faces of these men and women. Their presence and faith are a poignant reminder of our calling to serve and uplift those in need.
A Time of Sharing
Each year when some of U.S. Partners visit, the experience is always bittersweet; some members have passed away since the last visit, reminding us of life's fragility. For those still present, we celebrate each other by sharing testimonies about what God has accomplished in their lives and ours since our last time together. Their faith is profound, and despite facing hardship, their desire to praise God remains unwavering. It is truly inspiring to witness their devotion.
