In 2010, with enough of her own funds put aside to get started, Chantal traveled back to Lubumbashi from Canada and assembled a small team to decide the most effective location to begin constructing her dream of Shiloh Place Orphanage. Chantal purchased the required property and plans for building were soon underway.
“The very first building we constructed was a home for destitute and orphaned children. It consists of three bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Friends and family donated money for furnishings – beds and chairs.”
First home for SPO orphans, constructed 2010
Locally made bunk beds for orphaned students
“This building stands ready even today, to provide a home and safe place for orphans without any surviving family. Our Askari – Caretaker and Watchman, lives on site in this building, ready to provide for the needs of the children at any time while he and his wife keep care of the SPO buildings and grounds.”
“Classrooms would also need to be built for orphans and other disadvantaged children as they could not afford any sort of education through the usual means. Before long it also became apparent that the community would benefit greatly from a gathering place”.
“A place such as this would allow for community issues to be discussed and resolved. Community health could be dispensed, and spiritual, cultural and celebratory events could be enjoyed by many”.
The start of construction, Classroom Block #4
An event at the “Kanisa” our community gathering place
A wonderful group of SPO students
By November 2021 Chantal and her supporters proudly opened a community gathering place where up to 300 people can meet. By September 2022 the fifth classroom was completed, allowing for the ongoing education of over 250 students at the Shilo Place Orphanage site.
