Mwana Villages

The experience of trauma deeply shapes an individual's life, and is the most consistent threads we see in vulnerable women. Join licensed counselor and trauma therapist Michelle as she shares more about the effect of trauma, her work with some of the women at Mwana, and how addressing one's trauma can break the cycle of orphanhood.

Join Amanda and cofounder Cheryl as they discuss how women in Congo face unique challenges that can lead to a child becoming orphaned. 

Congolese cofounder of Mwana Villages Lambert Laki-Laka joins our host Amanda to dive into how the employment landscape is interconnected with the orphan crisis. 

Education and the orphan crisis are inextricably linked. Join Congolese team member Rayal Makele alongside Wellon and Amanda for a conversation about education in Congo and how the lack of access to quality education impacts orphaned children. Learn about what Mwana is doing to bridge this gap and how YOU can be a part of stopping the cycle!

Healthcare and the orphan crisis are inextricably linked. Join pediatrician Courtney Baxley alongside Wellon and Amanda for a conversation about healthcare challenges contribute to the orphan crisis and what we're doing to respond to these challenges. 

We are joined in this episode by Jackie, a licensed social worker specializing in healthy development in children from hard places, and Savannah, a junior board member who has traveled globally to various orphanages. We chat about many typical behaviors seen in orphanages around the world and how we can uphold a more intentional model that protects and promotes healthy development for orphaned children. 

Join two of our Junior Advocacy Board members for a discussion of ethical orphan care and how the traditional approaches may not be in a child's best interest...

Get the 411 on Planned Charitable Giving with financial planner guests Bryan and Tyler of Timberchase Financial, and learn how YOU can maximize your benefits to yourself and to Mwana through your donations.

Hear three unique stories that depict various aspects the priority of family reunification in ethical orphan care. We'll share more of the complex journey of a vulnerable child AND mother finding refuge and delve into how family preservation can break the cycle of orphanhood.

What do we mean when we say "ethical" orphan care? So there must be something that's "un"ethical in orphan care? How do kids come to Mwana? How do adoptions happen? 

On this episode of the Mwana Villages Podcast, we chat about these frequently asked questions and more. Join Mari Beth Poor and Wellon Bridgers to hear about the work of Mwana Villages!