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When rebels attacked her village in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008, 12-year-old Shukuru Binguru ran home from school to find her younger siblings alone and afraid.

Not knowing what had happened to their parents, the children fled to the city of Goma.

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Democratic Republic of Congo

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Alone and scared, they made their way to Pastor Patrick at Christian Aid partner Central Africa Baptist Community (CBCA)...

... while 125 other children arrived at local schools and churches

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CBCA cared for them, nurtured them, and loved them.

But the children missed their families terribly.

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Through the tireless work of CBCA, Shukuru and her siblings (pictured here) were reunited with their family.

7Wayisaba Kabinza (on the right) and her siblings were also returned home.

8The return home was a truly joyful occasion for Shukuru (on the left).

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Désiré Safari, director of development at CBCA, says ‘the joy was enormous’.

10Riziki Ushindi (front centre) and Rachel Kyakimwa (back left) also returned home.

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