Recent reports of Ebola cases in Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have prompted questions about how the outbreak may affect the children, families, staff, and communities served by Christ’s Hope.
We are grateful for the concern many have expressed for the children in our care and for the local teams who faithfully serve them. As the situation continues to develop, we want to provide a clear update on what we know, what we are monitoring, and how ministry is continuing across the countries where Christ’s Hope serves.
Our hearts are with the individuals, families, healthcare workers, and communities directly impacted by the outbreak. We join many around the world in praying for healing, protection, wisdom, and strength for those responding to this situation.
Understanding the Current Situation
Health officials, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national governments, and local Ministries of Health, continue responding to a serious Ebola outbreak affecting parts of eastern DRC, with related cases also reported in Uganda.
Christ’s Hope leadership is actively following guidance from these agencies while maintaining regular communication with ministry leaders and staff in the countries where we serve.
Because international news coverage often references entire countries or regions, it can be difficult to understand how close an outbreak is to the communities where Christ’s Hope serves. While the outbreak is serious and deserves careful attention, many of the communities where Christ’s Hope ministers remain geographically distant from the areas currently reporting the highest concentration of cases.
At this time, no Ebola cases have been reported in the other countries where Christ’s Hope serves, including Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, and Tanzania.
What About the Communities Served by Christ’s Hope?
Many people hear “Uganda” or “DRC” in the news and naturally wonder whether the children and families served by Christ’s Hope are directly affected.
In Uganda, Christ’s Hope continues serving children and families through Ministry CarePoints and the faithful leadership of local staff and caregivers. While Ebola cases have been reported elsewhere in the country, we have not received any reports of Ebola directly affecting Christ’s Hope children, caregivers, staff, Ministry CarePoints, or ministry leaders.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Christ’s Hope serves children in Kinshasa, located in the western part of the country. Current outbreak activity has been concentrated in eastern DRC, more than 1,000 miles from where Christ’s Hope ministries operate.
While we are grateful that our ministry communities have not reported direct impact from the outbreak, we continue monitoring developments closely and remain in regular communication with local leaders.
Ministry Continues
Across Christ’s Hope ministry locations, local teams continue serving children and families while monitoring guidance from health and government authorities.
Children continue receiving nutritious meals, educational support, discipleship, mentoring, and encouragement through Ministry CarePoints. Local staff, caregivers, and ministry leaders continue providing Christ-centered care and support to children and families in their communities.
Every day, children arrive at Ministry CarePoints needing support, education, stability, and hope. Families continue facing the challenges of poverty, and local caregivers continue faithfully investing in the next generation.
Moments like these also highlight the strength of Christ’s Hope’s ministry model. Our work is led by indigenous staff and local leaders who know their communities, understand local realities, and faithfully serve children every day. Their leadership allows ministry to remain resilient, responsive, and rooted in the communities they serve.
How Christ’s Hope Is Responding
As part of our commitment to responsible stewardship, Christ’s Hope leadership continues to:
- Monitor updates from WHO, CDC, local Ministries of Health, and government authorities.
- Maintain regular communication with local Christ’s Hope leaders and staff.
- Review travel guidance and safety protocols on an ongoing basis.
- Follow established health and infection-control practices.
- Evaluate mission team and donor travel plans as conditions evolve.
Out of an abundance of caution, travel plans to Uganda and the DRC are being reviewed on an ongoing basis and will continue to be evaluated according to current travel advisories, local guidance, and ministry conditions. Travel to Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, and Tanzania continues as planned unless circumstances change significantly.
Should conditions change, we remain committed to communicating promptly and transparently with our partners and supporters.
How You Can Pray
Please join us in praying:
- For protection over children, families, caregivers, staff, and communities.
- For healing and comfort for those directly affected by the outbreak.
- For wisdom for health officials and government leaders responding to the outbreak.
- For healthcare workers serving on the front lines.
- For successful efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading to additional regions and communities. Limiting the spread of the virus is critical to protecting vulnerable populations and helping health officials respond effectively.
- For Christ’s Hope leadership as decisions are made regarding travel and ministry operations.
- For peace, wisdom, and confidence in God’s provision.
Looking Ahead
While situations like this can create uncertainty, they do not change Christ’s Hope’s commitment to serving vulnerable children and sharing the love of Jesus.
Because of faithful supporters, children continue receiving life-saving care, discipleship, educational support, and hope through Ministry CarePoints led by dedicated local staff and caregivers. Together, we are helping children remain in families, strengthening communities, and sharing the Gospel in places where it is needed most.
We will continue monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as conditions evolve. Thank you for continuing to pray for all those affected and for standing alongside the children, families, and communities served through Christ’s Hope.
As we continue monitoring the situation, we are reminded that times of uncertainty often place the greatest burden on the most vulnerable. While ministry continues across the communities we serve, children and families living in extreme poverty remain especially vulnerable to disruptions, economic hardship, and other challenges that can accompany times like these.
If you would like to support Christ’s Hope’s ongoing work, your gift will help local staff and caregivers continue providing life-saving care, educational support, discipleship, and hope to children and families across Africa. Give today at: donate.christshope.org
Thank you for praying for those affected by the outbreak and for standing alongside the children, families, and communities we serve.