Hello, my name is John, and I am a humanitarian worker in Eastern DRC, where we have been experiencing violence and instability for many decades. I have been a humanitarian worker for 23 years, and suddenly lost my job in July 2025 due to funding from USAID being cut from the non-profit organization (NGO) I have been working with for the past 6 years. I had a stable income to support my family, and suddenly it is gone.

In August 2024 I lost my wife of 20 years. She had surgery, and did not survive. I am left a widower with our 4 daughters ages 10 to 20 and my extended family to support. Having lost my job and all source of income, I am terrified of not being able to meet our basic needs for food.

We live in the city of Goma, which has been taken over by rebel forces since early 2025. There is widespread insecurity and violence, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis - services for the population have been mostly halted. Finding another job in these conditions will be extremely difficult, as all humanitarian agencies are letting go of staff due to loss of funding from USAID. Our situation is dire, and I am not sure how we will survive.

Please help me support my daughters and family through this campaign. I will search for any type of work to meet my family's needs, and your contributions will help us get by until I am able to find a way to generate income. I am deeply grateful for any donation you are able to make. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.