In 2016 when Clare Campbell met Herman Chirihambali, they began
a journey to help children in Congo.
Australian born Clare Campbell’s passion to travel the world, for more than 35 years, invariably led her to developing countries. Her experiences there altered her perception of life, and humanity at large. Realizing her own blessings, it became imperative for her to help those far less fortunate.
After volunteering in Cambodia in 2015 her passion to help those in need was further ignited.
Clare began to understand the plight of the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially women and children. She filled her head and heart with the tragic history of events that led to the current state of the country. Embracing a determination to bring hope and healing to people there, she established a home for orphaned and vulnerable children, two school sponsorship programs, and a sewing project with a talented and dynamic group of disabled seamstresses.
Today the journey continues as more needy children find their way to Ishara House. The spaces are expanded, more house mothers are employed and projects aimed at sustaining the growth and ultimate independence of its residents are established.
ongoing projects
Ishara House I
In November 2016 Ishara House was established in Minova, named after Ishara, the first little resident. What started as three children in a rented house is now a private building housing 20 children and two house mothers, not to mention a soccer team.
Congo Threads
In 2017 Clare Campbell began a sewing project with a group of dynamic and talented group of disabled seamstresses. Together they worked to create popular clothing designs, and the program now supports them by creating a market for their work in the United States. To learn how this group acquired their new sewing machines, read below…
Friendly Water
Wellness starts with clean water. Since 2016 Clare has been working with Friendly Water for the WorldHealth to promote BioSand Filters, community sanitation and hygiene, rainwater catchment systems, interlocking brickmaking machines, and MicroFlush toilets – the first program of its kind, addressing the needs for clean water, prevention of waterborne illness, and employment all at the same time.
The sewing machines you see above were actually purchased after this group of seamstresses made and sold 116 BioSand Filters!
Ishara House II
In 2019 a tragic ferry accident on Lake Kivu left scores of children orphaned in the town of Mukwidja, 50km south of Minova. In response to the tragedy, Herman Chirihambali and Faustin travelled to Mukwidja and found that no local or international agency had addressed the dire situation. The situation was so dire that Clare and Herman felt compelled to take action and founded Ishara House II. Opened in October of 2019 with six children and two house mothers, Ishara House II has room for 25.
