Late at night in a small village in Togo, a young girl once lay awake wondering what her life would become.
Her parents were gone.
Her future was uncertain.
For millions of children across Africa, this story is painfully common.
The AIDS epidemic—combined with wars, disease, and severe poverty—has left a staggering number of children without parents. According to UNICEF, more than 52 million children in Africa are orphans. Some are taken in by relatives, but many are left without the basic necessities most of us take for granted: food, shelter, education, and safety.
This is where compassion makes the difference.
For more than 50 years, the International Children’s Fund (ICF) has worked with a singular mission: to help desperately poor children survive—and then thrive.
Through the support of generous donors, ICF provides food, medicine, housing, safe drinking water, education, and hope to thousands of children and their families in Africa, India, and Pakistan.
One of the most life-changing ways ICF fulfills this mission is through the construction and support of orphanages. Today, ICF supports 14 orphanages in Africa and India, giving vulnerable children a place where they can feel safe, cared for, and loved.
A Safe Haven Called Kingdom Care
At Kingdom Care Orphanage in Togo, Pastor Geoffrey greets children each morning not just as their caretaker—but as a father figure.
When many of these children first arrive, they carry invisible wounds: grief, fear, and uncertainty.
But over time, something remarkable begins to happen.
They start to laugh again.
They make friends.
They begin to dream about their futures.
Hundreds of children have found a home at Kingdom Care, and each one carries a story of resilience.
Kekeli’s Dream
Kekeli just turned nine years old.
Three years ago, she lost both of her parents and was brought to Kingdom Care Orphanage. For a child so young, the loss was overwhelming.
Kekeli also suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that sometimes makes even simple movement difficult.
She receives treatment at the orphanage clinic, but more advanced care is costly and difficult to access.
Still, Kekeli rarely talks about her pain.
Instead, she talks about her dream.
She wants to become a nurse.
“I want to help people who are sick like me,” she says quietly.
Mawusime’s Second Chance at Health
Eight-year-old Mawusime also arrived at Kingdom Care after losing her parents.
Since birth she has struggled with severe asthma. Before coming to the orphanage, breathing was often a frightening challenge.
But with regular care and treatment at the clinic, her health has improved dramatically.
Now she runs, plays, and laughs with the other children.
And like Kekeli, Mawusime dreams of one day becoming a nurse—so she can help other children who struggle to breathe.
A Neighbor’s Kindness Changed Everything
For Mawuwoe, hope came from an unexpected place.
After her parents passed away, she went to live with her aunt. But life was difficult. Her aunt could barely support the family and needed help working their small farm.
At just seven years old, Mawuwoe had to leave school.
Each day she worked long hours in the fields instead of sitting in a classroom.
Neighbors noticed her struggling and knew she deserved something better. They contacted Kingdom Care Orphanage, and last month Mawuwoe arrived at her new home.
Today she is back in school, learning, laughing, and rediscovering what it means to be a child.
Jules’ Journey
Jules lost both of his parents in 2019 when he was only four years old.
When he first arrived at Kingdom Care, the orphanage was little more than a few small buildings. Pastor Geoffrey remembers those early days clearly.
He often becomes emotional when he talks about Jules and the hardships they both faced.
But today, Jules is thriving.
He is now the top student in the sixth grade.
His dream is to become a businessman one day—and to use his success to help support Kingdom Care so other children like him can find hope.
Turning Compassion Into Action
Stories like these are only possible because people choose to care.
Supporters who give regularly are known as Hope Ambassadors because their generosity allows ICF to continue providing life-saving care and opportunity to children facing the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
And donors can feel confident that their support is making a real difference.
During 2025, 99.8% of ICF’s total expenses went directly to program services, providing aid to children and families in need. Only 0.2% was used for management and administration, ensuring that nearly every dollar goes where it matters most.
The Power of Hope
Tonight, as many of us prepare for bed, children like Kekeli, Mawusime, Mawuwoe, and Jules will also lay their heads on their pillows.
But unlike before, they will fall asleep in a safe place.
They will have eaten a warm meal.
They will wake up tomorrow with the chance to go to school.
Most importantly, they will know that someone, somewhere, cared enough to help.
And that compassion is changing their lives—one child at a time.