From Canadian Hearts to Congolese Hands, Meet Ismael, our In-country Liaison

Ismael Yama has been collaborating with Village of Grace since 2016, and without her servant leadership on the ground, we would not experience the same level of success or care with our programs. I suppose in going with our theme, this would make her the feet of VOG. With direction from our board here in Canada, Ismael is able to buy the food, medical, and school supplies that are necessary to not only keep our children fed and healthy but also help stimulate DRC’s economy, while saving us time and money not having to send everything from here to there. She is able to execute our plans on our behalf so that we can keep our focus on raising the funds to best support our children in Congo and charity operations.

Ismael’s day-to-day work includes shopping for goods for the children in three different marketplaces to purchase the best supplies at the lowest prices. She then divides and delivers the necessities between the two orphanage locations. She also follows up on the children closely and has been able to foster some great connections with them which is important to their mental and emotional health as well as keeping us better informed about what their needs truly are. She sends photos and updates us regularly and is prompt and professional in her communication.

During the last handful of years, while dealing with covid, Ismael was instrumental in helping keep the children nourished and healthy. She helped us continue to serve the children seamlessly all while navigating curfews and food shortages. Ismael also accompanies the children to any medical or health appointments and generally keeps the ball rolling for us with determination and enthusiasm.

In Ismael's own words, “What I love in my job is that I am serving the Lord through it. I love being with the children, being a part of their life journeys. Seeing what VOG is doing with all the help in medical care, nourishment, and school tuition payment makes me feel so happy. I could have easily been one of these children in the orphanages if God didn’t put the right people around me. That’s why I give 100% into working alongside Village of Grace with total joy seeing the smiles on the children’s faces. I love when they see me coming how they light up and the little ones automatically start to tell me what they’ve done and many things about them. Serving the children on behalf of Village of Grace is my passion!”

We at Village of Grace are so grateful to Ismael for all her hard work, communication, photo updates, passion, and joy that she brings to serving the children that have been placed in our care. She not only follows directions well but is always bringing our attention to ways we can improve and do more. She is a happy, accommodating lady who really cares about our purpose, the children, and making this world better. Her joy and love for the children pour out of her. Ismael is a pleasure to work with in her transparency, enthusiasm in working alongside us, advocacy of the children’s needs, honesty, and heart to see our purpose fulfilled of helping those who need it most.