Irene has had a tough life. Her father was killed during a war when Irene was young, leaving Irene to live with her mother and siblings on very meagre resources, often going hungry for extended periods of time.  

Irene first became pregnant as a teenager and later had to raise her two children with the support of her mother, after her husband abandoned her.  

As a single mother, it was challenging for Irene to care for her two sons without a stable income. She worked hard but didn’t have a steady job to support her family. Irene’s life changed after she participated in the Youth Capacity Strengthening Program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Kongolo. 

Through programs like these, your support through donations made to Project Compassion helps to offer pathways out of poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond.  

Get to know Irene’s story.

“I want to say a big thank you to Caritas Australia and Caritas Kongolo. Thank you so much for uplifting me. I never thought I, Irene, could become someone. I never knew this life was possible,”. - Irene 

Thank you for encouraging your students to contribute to our Project Compassion PCG donation boxes.

Jeanette Refalo - Mission Support