Over the course of two years in a Caritas-supported program, his transformation was remarkable. Through psychosocial support, peer mentoring, community engagement, and the healing power of music, he slowly rebuilt his confidence and sense of self. He then joined a group of young people supporting others affected by conflict, turning his painful experience into a source of encouragement and guidance. He returned to school, learned a trade, and eventually became an advocate, sharing his story to raise awareness and inspire other children and families.
Over the course of two years in a Caritas-supported program, his transformation was remarkable. Through psychosocial support, peer mentoring, community engagement, and the healing power of music, he slowly rebuilt his confidence and sense of self. He then joined a group of young people supporting others affected by conflict, turning his painful experience into a source of encouragement and guidance. He returned to school, learned a trade, and eventually became an advocate, sharing his story to raise awareness and inspire other children and families. Donate Now.
Table of Contents
A Story from Caritas: Hope that Walks Beside the Forgotten
Eddy and Lulu’s Mission: Walking with Those the World Overlooks
Across the Democratic Republic of Congo, where hope can feel fragile and many are left behind, two Caritas workers – Eddy Yamwenziyo Mutumayi of Caritas Goma and Lulu Mireille Mitshabu of Caritas Australia – embody the quiet strength of love in action.
Lulu’s Commitment: supporting children affected by conflict
Born in the DRC and shaped by the injustices she experienced as a young girl, Lulu Mireille Mitshabu carries a deep calling to accompany communities affected by conflict, poverty, and climate shocks. Working withCaritas Australia in DRC, she supports locally led programs that protect human dignity, strengthen community resilience, and build long-term peace.
“The strength and resilience of the people we accompany inspires me. Their courage reflects the true Samaritan spirit and reminds us why this work matters.” – Lulu Mireille Mitshabu, Caritas Australia
One experience that has stayed with her is the journey of a boy she met in North Kivu after returning to the DRC following many years abroad. His life had been shattered by conflict: both parents were killed, and he was forced to join an armed group as a child soldier. When Lulu first met him, he had been demobilised but remained withdrawn, traumatised, and unable to maintain eye contact, the weight of his past still overwhelming.
Over the course of two years in a Caritas-supported program, his transformation was remarkable. Through psychosocial support, peer mentoring, community engagement, and the healing power of music, he slowly rebuilt his confidence and sense of self. He then joined a group of young people supporting others affected by conflict, turning his painful experience into a source of encouragement and guidance. He returned to school, learned a trade, and eventually became an advocate, sharing his story to raise awareness and inspire other children and families.
For Lulu, his journey represents the heart of Caritas’ mission.
Eddy’s Commitment: Supporting Families Facing Hunger and Conflict in North Kivu
In eastern DRC, where conflict has displaced millions, Eddy has spent more than two decades accompanying families who have lost everything. Whether distributing emergency food, restoring livelihoods, or offering reassurance in moments of despair, he reminds communities that they are not alone.
“Overcoming differences and acting with a spirit that drives me to be close to the most vulnerable people, to walk with them, and to be in solidarity.” — Eddy Yamwenziyo Mutumayi, Caritas Goma
When violent clashes forced thousands into the Rusayo displacement camp, Eddy and his team were among the first responders. They met Furaha, a young mother who had fled with two malnourished children. Within three days, families received enough food to survive the month and, crucially, they knew that Caritas was present and responding to their urgent needs. Eddy’s presence became a sign of hope. “People call me the food man,” he says, a name that speaks not only to aid, but to trust.
“What the poor need the most is not pity, but love… and respect for their human dignity.” — Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Born in 1910 in present-day North Macedonia, Mother Teresa dedicated her life to serving the poorest and most forgotten. In the slums of Calcutta, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, offering care to the sick, the dying, and the abandoned. Her tireless compassion and quiet strength showed that even the smallest act of love can restore dignity and hope.
Both Eddy and Lulu live out this conviction every day: Like Mother Teresa, Eddy and Lulu meet people where suffering is deepest. They stand in the mud of displacement camps, listen without judgement, and restore dignity through presence as much as through aid.
How Caritas Works in Forgotten Crises
Caritas is there before, during, and after a crisis, staying present long after others have left. Across the world, Caritas works alongside communities to provide emergency relief as well as protection for children, women, and vulnerable families. Caritas also supports climate resilience and livelihood recovery, and advocates to ensure that forgotten crises remain visible and understood.
