fondazione Cariello corbino

Democratic republic of Congo

Working in one of the most dangerous regions in the world

In the last few months, I have been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo with an Italian organization, Fondazione Cariello Corbino. Our mission is to assist the local hero, Passy Mahano, in providing care and a chance for a dignified life to 73 children who have been victimized by the ongoing violence in the region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been plagued by violent conflicts for decades. These wars have resulted in the deaths of more than 6 million people. Although the so-called Congo War officially ended in 2003, violence persists in the eastern part of the country, where innocent people face daily threats. Tragically, this ongoing crisis often goes unnoticed by the rest of the world. Common atrocities include mass rapes, killings, torture, displacement, and the recruitment of children into militias.

In the midst of this horror, there are courageous Congolese individuals who dedicate their lives to helping the victims. Passy Mahano is one of these remarkable people.

Passy's children are all victims of these terrible conflicts, ranging in age from newborns, whose mothers died in childbirth, to 15 years old. To provide them with a safe and nurturing environment, Passy sacrificed her own education. However, they were living in an extremely dangerous area where armed groups roamed the streets.

Our initial goal was to create a safe and happy home for these children in a more secure area, within the renowned Virunga Park. We are pleased to report that Stage 1 of the project has been successfully completed, with the construction of the first dormitory. Work on the second dormitory is currently in progress, and all the children have already moved into their new, safer home in Rumangabo.

I am deeply gratified to collaborate with this project and contribute my skills and time to raise awareness and support Passy and her children. Together, we are organizing a series of exhibitions in New York City, Italy, and London to raise funds to continue this vital project.

If you are interested in learning more about the project or wish to make a donation, please visit the following websites:

- [Fondazione Cariello Corbino](http://fondazionecariellocorbino.org)

- [Passy's Kids](http://www.passys-kids.com)

Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated. Thank you!