How it all began...
Chiherano. A small village in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not far from the second largest rainforest in the world. Our founder Pappy Orion lived a peaceful life with his family until the war destroyed everything...
1996 - 1998
First and Second Congo Wars
Recruitment of child soldiers
As a child, Pappy experiences war in a cruel way. Violence, chaos and devastation dominate the country. Rebel groups recruit child soldiers for their fights.
1998 - 2000
On the run
6000 kilometers on foot to South Africa
Pappy's parents see no choice: they decide to send their 12-year-old son away. Secretly, early in the morning and alone on a journey into the unknown.
2000 - 2002
South Africa
Street child in Cape Town
Pappy's escape ends as a street child and refugee in Cape Town, where he experiences hunger, violence and crime. Drugs land him in prison until an unexpected encounter completely changes his life. When he calls the street home, he finds his home with God and his calling.
2009
First reunion with the family
"Hold on to love"
In order to look for his family, he sets off on a journey of reconciliation back to his country for the first time. The cruel reality on the ground catches up with him. Instead of feeling hatred and resentment towards the perpetrators of the war, Pappy's sister, who had every reason to quarrel, teaches him the opposite: "Hold on to love."
2013
The vision is born
A bright future for Congo
Pappy travels to his homeland with his wife Svenja. Together they cannot put an end to the violence, but they can do everything to ensure that the bright future represented by the star in the Congolese national flag becomes a reality for the next generation.
2015 + 2016
Foundation of Focus Congo
In 2015, Focus Congo asbl was founded as a non-profit aid organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2016 the association Focus Congo e. V. founded in Germany.
2019
Award
Prix d'Excellence and D'Encouragement
Founder Pappy Orion is honored by the Innovation Business Technology College - IBTC Film School in Bukavu (South Kivu Province, Eastern Congo) for his work with young people in the field of film and media
2021
Honorary Award
Prix d'Honneur
For the work of Focus Congo and its contribution to peace in Eastern Congo, founder Pappy Orion receives the honorary award from the Initiative Regionale Pour Le Developpement Grands Lacs pour la Paix.
Comments on the book
"This book describes a story of God's preservation, faith and true determination. Pappy went a very long way for two years to avoid becoming a child soldier. May it bless you as you read it."
Loren Cunningham
Founder of “Youth with a Mission”
"As a journalist, I covered the war. Pappy lived it. He certainly bears the scars of that experience, but also an inner strength that was born of it. You hear that strength in his voice, see it in his eyes and in his beaming smiles. God lives in Pappy. His story is a miracle."
Byron Pitts
Correspondent at ABC News