The day centre
A safe place where children from the neighbourhoods come to learn, play, share a meal and grow up in love.
Children from the neighbourhoods
The day centre welcomes children from disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Kinshasa, girls and boys aged 5 to 12 and 13 to 17. They do not live at the centre: they come several times a week, then go back home. Some come from far away and almost never miss a day.
Around a hundred come every week. On one Saturday in March 2022, 90 children were there. The One Love Center is not just a day-care: it is a safe house, away from the street, where friendship grows and everyone is welcomed with love.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons
The children are welcomed, then workshops in small groups: library and reading, literacy, computers, singing and choir, cooking workshops led by our volunteers.
Sport and games
Football, basketball, board games, toys: we play, laugh, learn to live together and regain confidence.
Snack time
Before going home, the children share a snack or a meal.
On Sundays
The children listen to the preaching, a Word of God that feeds them spiritually and helps them grow. At the end, they share a meal of pondu madesu (cassava leaves and beans).
Care and listening
Many children arrive with wounds or health problems. Our educators, trained in first aid, take care of them, and we look after their health and their hearts.
The centre, month after month
All our day-centre photos, sorted by year and month. Tap a photo to enlarge it.
June 20228 photos
Board games, table tennis, basketball: afternoons full of laughter.
September 20224 photos
Back to school: every child leaves with their notebooks.
November 20226 photos
An ice-cream afternoon, enjoyed to the last spoonful.
January 20231 photo
A meal shared with the children of the centre.
February 20236 photos
Football, basketball and toys in the courtyard.
June 20232 photos
Care, gathering and snack time.
2 September 20236 photos
A party, a cake and lots of smiles.
17 September 20235 photos
Back to school: supplies, shoes and bags for school.
2 December 202310 photos
Faces that say it all.
Christmas 20236 photos
The Christmas party, with hundreds of children.
February 20245 photos
Balls, games and a time to listen.
March 20247 photos
Games, jumps and friendship.
10 April 20242 photos
Laughing with friends.
13 April 20244 photos
Toys, games and gathering.
24 April 20244 photos
Funny faces and bursts of laughter.
May 20245 photos
Games, learning and cold drinks.
July 20243 photos
Draughts, poses and afternoons in the sun.
Bible camp · 25 July 20242 photos
Games and water pistols at the camp.
One afternoon at the centre changes a week.
A gift funds the workshops, the snack and the Sunday meal. A sponsorship supports one child over time.