In July 2025, Bread and Water for Africa® announced our intention to provide clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing not only to the orphaned and abandoned children and youth living at the CARILINO Orphanage in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but for hundreds more in the surrounding community of Mont-Ngafula.
“Access to drinking water is a major challenge for the orphanage and the surrounding community of 500 inhabitants, due to the inefficiency of the urban network,” said Lucien Beele, executive director of our in-country partner there, Technologies Appropriées pour le Congo (TAC Asbl), at the time.
In the following months since, under Lucien’s direction, and with thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® generous doners, the project that included drilling a borehole, installing a 10,000-liter (2,642-gallon) storage tank, plumbing, piping, a solar pump and panels, a battery, an inverter, and more, which is benefiting a total of 1,750 individuals, was completed.
However, we are now very pleased to report that another critical aspect of the water project – a three-hectare (approximately 7.5 acres) agricultural project to provide the orphanage’s kitchen with fresh and nutritious vegetables on a daily basis – has also been completed.
The agricultural project included site preparation of the land including clearing and fencing, soil preparation including plowing and the purchasing of farming tools, planting of short and medium-cycle vegetable varieties – and establishing an irrigation system linked to the orphanage’s solar water system.
Today, this project ensures that the 55 children (31 girls and 24 boys) living at the orphanage, along with 160 indirect beneficiaries from the local community, benefit from a steady supply of fresh vegetables.
“This project is not merely a subsistence initiative; it is part of the long-term vision of Bread and Water for Africa® and TAC Asbl to transform vulnerable care institutions into centers of self-sufficiency and dignity through appropriate technologies and agroecological approaches,” commented Lucien.
The specific objectives of the project outlined when the project was being developed have been met:
- Develop and intensify agricultural production on the orphanage’s available three hectares.
- Provide the orphanage kitchen with fresh and nutritious vegetables on a daily and regular basis to ensure a healthy and diversified diet for the 55 children.
- Generate stable income through the sale of agricultural surpluses in local markets to finance other essential unmet needs, including school fees, medical care, and clothing.
- Transfer practical skills in modern and agroecological farming techniques to the children and supervising staff, thereby promoting the value of farm work and self-reliance.
- Create an inspiring model of social agriculture that can be transferred and replicated by other care institutions in the DR Congo.
Lucien noted that the crop plan was diversified to meet two priorities: immediate nutritional security through “short-cycle” crops such as fast-growing leafy vegetables including amaranth grain (grown for its edible starchy seeds) and local spinach; and commercial profitability through high-market-value crops such as tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers, “which are in high demand in the markets of Mont-Ngafula.”
He also pointed out that one of the project’s greatest successes “lies in the technical convergence between the Bread and Water for Africa® and TAC Asbl’s WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programs and the agricultural infrastructure.
“The solar-powered motorized water well, whose construction was completed within the orphanage, now serves as the backbone of the project.
“It provides a regular irrigation system that protects the farm from climate variability and unexpected dry spells, which commonly affect the Kinshasa region.
“The children, therefore, have guaranteed access to safe drinking water, while the vegetable plots remain productive year-round.”
Lucien also reported recently that the orphanage’s kitchen is now supplied independently with fresh produce and that the introduction of these diversified vegetable rations has improved the nutritional quality of meals served to the 55 children.
“As a direct result, the orphanage has recorded an immediate reduction in cash outflows for purchasing fresh food from external markets,” he told us.
Additionally, because the project produces more than the children and caregivers need, surplus crops are sold to families and traders in surrounding communities.
“This commercial activity generated the first internal revenue, laying the foundation for a dedicated working capital and logistics fund designed to support the institution’s financial autonomy.
“These funds have already been partially allocated to cover small, urgent medical expenses and to purchase school supplies for the children.”
And as for The Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Bergamo, who manage CARILINO Orphanage, Lucien says they describe the impact of this project as “highly transformative.
“This project has helped break the cycle of dependence on external aid by moving the institution from passive food insecurity toward a dynamic model of planned production.”
In fact, Sr. Catherine, the Sister-in-Charge of the orphanage’s management, told us upon the completion of the agricultural project:
“This project is an invaluable blessing for our community.
“Where our land remained unused due to limited resources and technical support, we now see abundant, healthy food growing for our children.
“Our food supply expenses in outside markets have dropped drastically.
“Seeing our children proudly and joyfully participate in watering and harvesting activities gives us confidence that they are growing while learning fundamental values of self-reliance, responsibility, and human dignity.
“Our gratitude to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® is boundless.”
