I was born and raised in Zaire, Africa now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. My father was a United Methodist Church Minister.
I attended Africa University, Zimbabwe, Africa majoring in Sociology with orientation in social development. This Institution provided me opportunities to grow and develop in my personal and social professional life. I was blessed and fortunate to attend this well regarded United Methodist institution of higher learning.
While pursuing my degree in the university’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Science program I volunteered at Fairfield Children’s Home at nearby United Methodist Old Mutare Mission Centre. I worked in a variety of capacities with children and women continuing until I graduated. My mind was opened to the experiences of working with people and experienced what it meant to be poor or an orphan. I also had a good opportunity to discuss national issues affecting the development of the African communities with university students from different countries.
During my stay at Africa University, God put in my heart a big vision to create a ministry with its mission to assist needy communities: poor families, orphaned and vulnerable children. He made me ready to embrace my dream to serve others.
The year 2006 was one of the best years of my life. I successfully completed my studies and graduated from Africa University. It was also the best year because I managed to meet and restore my union with my beloved wife Yvette after returning home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Yvette and I married in 1997 with full attendance by family, church members and friends; it was one of the most important events in my life. Unfortunately a short time later in 1998 our union experienced sad days. The unrest due to civil war that my country was experiencing affected us. Yvette and I were involuntarily separated; she was moved to a refugee camp and lived in Tanzania. We could not easily communicate until 2005, a year before my graduation. So it was a special event to meet again and restart a new life together. With praise and glory to God we were blessed with the birth of our son Edward Mushid, April 16, 2009.
In the DRC I began to search for a way to address communities’ concerns/needs that I felt brewing around me. Through investigations and discussions with the residents I learned that Kasungami was the most affected and neglected. Kasungami had a high concentration of displaced people, squatters, victims of HIV/AIDS and malnourished people as well as orphaned and vulnerable children. In 2006 Child Action Initiative was born.
In Kasungami I also became very aware that children did not have the support and nurturing they needed to realize their fullest potential. I also discovered they didn’t have enough to eat; they could not afford to go to school; many of the residents are victims of: malaria, typhoid, waterborne diseases; poor sanitation, etc. In 2008 my friends Bev and Ed Wentz visited Kasungami – Lubumbashi. They also discovered and confirmed that the community was facing a lot of social challenges such as: educational needs for orphaned children; lack of adequate safe drinking water; need for nutrient food; lack of medical facilities and lack of latrines. This created in me a great concern about children and what I would like to achieve. This was the starting point of realizing the dream.
September to November 2009, I was selected for a scholarship and was fortunate to attend seminars sponsored by Servants in Faith and Technology (SIFAT), Lineville, Al, U.S.A. for indigenous missionary and community leaders of development training. This gave me another opportunity for capacity building with students from around the globe in Christian Community development and appropriate technology with the purpose to share God’s love in Practical Ways.
Yvette and I have dedicated our family life to Christ. We are currently serving the community of Kasungami, DRC through Nazareth United Methodist Church, the center of activity for Child Action Initiative. Through Child Action Initiative we are working with children and touching families with various activities.
To conclude, I wish to thank Africa University for accepting me into this fine institution of higher learning, providing financial aid and a quality education which I could not have afforded on my own. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation for this support. I also wish to thank Oak Ridge United Methodist Church (ORUMC), Oak Ridge, NC and members Bev and Ed Wentz for their assistance by establishing the first ORUMC Annual Africa University Scholarship Fund which enabled me to complete my studies at Africa University and provide additional support along the way. Thank you to SIFAT for the opportunity to attend their Practicum in 2009. I can now serve because good people made my academic life possible.
“Here I am, Send me” Isaiah 6:8
Isaiah (Esaie) Njimbu Chot
Yvette, Eddie and Isaiah Njimbu Chot
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