The Kimbilio team accompanied Irène to the airport earlier this week for her flight home to Kalemie. Kalemie is a city of about 150,000, located 900 kilometers away from Lubumbashi on the Tanzanian border. It is the capital of Tanganyika province. Irène was born there
and lived with her maternal grandmother. At the age of 14, she came to Lubumbashi to meet her biological father but unfortunately was not welcomed -- her stepmother subjected her to abuse. She fled and found herself living on the streets. Bakaja, a nearby welcome center for boys, introduced her to Kimbilio in November 2023. After months of seeking her family and planning the reunion, she is now back with her grandmother in Kalemie. We are overjoyed for Irène!
The photo on the left is Carine, Director of Kimbilio, with Irène at the airport. In the center photo, Irène waits in anticipation of her trip home. At the right, she's back in Kalemie with her grandmother and younger sibling. Her grandmother's enormous smile is heartwarming!
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