Restore Hope Mission

In 1997, a war broke out in the Congo, spilling over from the tensions in neighbouring Rwanda. It was known as 'the liberation war'. This was then followed by another war called ‘the Congo aggression war'. The Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi armed troops killed many people in the eastern part of Congo and in Kinshasa, leaving orphaned children and destroyed families.

This appalling situation brought about terrible consequences for the psychological, social, economic and educational present and future life of many children and adults. Many were forced to flee the country they loved in order to seek protection. There have been many attempts to bring peace but all have failed with trouble flaring in 2002 and 2004. According to the Home Office official statistics, it is estimated that about 16,800 French and 8,500 Lusophone-speaking refugees and asylum seekers live in the United Kingdom.

The London Borough of Waltham Forest has population of 225,762 people and an increasing refugee population of over 9000 refugees Black and ethnic minorities. Over 5,000 refugees are from the Francophone and Lusophone central and southern countries of Africa. At present, DR Congo is in a transitional period. At this time a constitution has been approved by voters and presidential elections are expected to be held in June 2006. There is currently no hope of the displaced people of these countries ever being able to return safely to their homes.