Post by Staff Member Madison Dube
The Kasongo Family
I originally met the Kasongo family in the Fall of 2024, only a few short weeks after they arrived as refugees from Malawi, where they were displaced after fleeing DR Congo. As I walked the office halls one afternoon, I noticed a single mother with five small children waiting to meet with their case manager.
Each child was meticulously dressed and well groomed, ranging in age from five to twelve. I said a prayer for these precious kids, that God would provide them with the opportunity to more than just get by in their new chapter of life in the U.S., but to grow and flourish. Little did I know that the Lord would soon answer my own prayer by using me to help foster hope in these children.
Building a Relationship Through Club Programs
A few months later, I was running an after-school club hosted by a pastor named Luke at a partner church within walking distance of the Kasongo family’s apartment. Over the months, I got to know all the Kasongo kids more, but I want to tell you about the youngest child, JP.
JP is small in stature but makes up for it with a fierce personality. When I initially met JP, he did not speak English at all and used his body to express his feelings and desires. Getting kicked in the behind by him when he was frustrated was not so rare 😊, and his smiles were scarce.
Transitioning between different activities was a challenge for JP, as was sharing toys, and most significantly, speaking English. This behavior continued through Spring and Summer 2025. But in the Fall, I noticed huge changes.
JP’s Transformation
The day I helped enroll JP in school to start Kindergarten, he wore his Spiderman backpack with great pride! Soon, his English skills skyrocketed. He began to use his words to express his feelings in sentences.
He learned to confide in safe adults to help him solve his problems and receive love in return. I was shocked and floored by the changes in his behavior—this was a completely different child than the one I had met over a year prior!
Today, JP is thriving in life and school as he continues to fine-tune his literacy and emotional skills.
I attribute JP and his siblings’ growth to four main factors: the grace and love of God, growing and learning at school, support from World Relief staff, and finding community through a caring, involved local church.
It’s a powerful example of what can happen when a child is surrounded by stability, opportunity, and people who believe in them, even as they make their way in a policy environment that is becoming less welcoming for refugees and other immigrants.
The Role of Church and Community
Pastor Luke has played a pivotal role in supporting this family through exceptional kindness. Not only did he open his church to World Relief youth clubs, but he also walked alongside us as a volunteer, building a relationship with the Kasongo family.
In addition to routinely meeting with me, the Kasongo family began attending Homework Center three days a week at Pastor Luke’s church. This program provides tutoring for neighborhood students, all while living out the Gospel.
The stability offered by Homework Center has fostered a sense of belonging and community within the Kasongo family—an irreplaceable gift.
The work of this church partner, as seen through the Kasongo family, has bolstered my hope in the work of the Church being a light to the nations and fulfilling the calling of God.
I praise God for churches that believe in more than temporary help for families like JP’s, but in lasting, mutual transformation.
A Lasting Gratitude
I am forever grateful to have played a small part in working with the Kasongo family, and I praise the Lord constantly for their beautiful lives. Thank you for walking with this family through your partnership with World Relief Chicagoland!
Refugee and other immigrant neighbors in Chicagoland need your presence and support more than ever in 2026. During May and June 2026, any financial gift up to $80,000 will be matched to double your impact.