Archbishop Karl Rodig Orphanage and School - AKROS

02/04/2026

Good news! Thrivent Financial (known simply as Thrivent) has designated and enrolled AKROS in its Thrivent Choice program, which mean two things:

- Donors who find AKROS in Thrivent's Choice catalog of organizations can give directly to AKROS and Thrivent will cover all processing fees so AKROS receives 100% of the donation.

- Eligible members of Thrivent can give their Thrivent Choice Dollars to AKROS as one more way to fund our operations that serve the orphans and vulnerable children in Bukavu, DRC.

Within a week, AKROS will be added to a listing of more than 50,000 churches and nonprofits featured on the Thrivent website here: https://www.thrivent.com/about-us/membership/thrivent-choice.

01/28/2026

Christmas Party: Through an innovative fundraiser, Rev. Dn. Alessia Brusorio and her husband, Francesco Matassa, raised a total of $1,135.81 USD (based on exchange rates) to provide a special Christmas celebration in 2025 for the orphans. Brusorio decorated the windows of her shop, located in Vigevano in northern Italy, with Christmas ornaments and products she made entirely by hand (see images below). Proceeds of all sales were used for food and juice, decorations, toys, and board games for the children (see additional images below).

12/30/2025

There is about a day left to take advantage of 2025 tax savings for U.S.-based supporters who would like to donate to AKROS. Don’t miss this opportunity to support the work of AKROS and its mission to care for and to educate the orphans and vulnerable children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa).

There are multiple ways to support the AKROS mission: notebooks and books for the students, school fees, medical supplies, food assistance for the orphans and host families, an increase in teacher and staff pay above the poverty level, office expenses, repayment of rebuilding supplies.

Every gift—no matter the size or where it comes from—helps us to serve the orphans and vulnerable children in central Africa. For U.S.-based members, now is the best time to give. Giving before December 31, 2025, ensures that you receive the full tax benefits currently available under law while supporting AKROS' mission.

Please make your gift today to help us enter 2026 strong. DONATE ONLINE (see below) or MAIL your gift to 3011 Bedford Pl., York, PA 17408 (please make all checks payable to AKROS and write how you wish your donation to be used in the memo line).

Together we can create a vision of a world where every orphan and child has a bright future. Thank you for your continued support.

11/11/2025

Giving Tuesday (Dec. 2) is only three weeks away.

Dear friends, I'm reaching out to share an incredible opportu… Gary Staszak needs your support for Support Archbishop Karl Rodig Orphanage and School (AKROS)

09/23/2025

New Gate: On July 28, a technician/carpenter installed a main door/gate and panels for the front of the AKROS campus in anticipation of the new academic year and in response to increased migrations of people into the area near the school due to armed conflict in a northern province. The new gate is intended to protect the school’s onsite resources and equipment and to provide increased physical security for the students, teachers, and staff through access control. Below: After and before pictures of the new door/gate with AKROS' executive secretary and the technician/carpenter.

09/22/2025

We are currently working on raising funds to install a permanent water system for the orphans, vulnerable children, teachers, and staff. The total budget for the install is $787.50 USD. Donors have contributed and/or pledged $466.00 USD to date. Can you help?
Please visit our Donorbox link below and select “Another serious area” to assist with this project.

Background: The influx of refugees from the conflict areas in a northern province has led to stressed living conditions and a strain on resources, such as fresh drinking water. There are reports of cholera in the area where the orphanage is located (Bukavu, DRC). Cholera is caused by a bacteria that is primarily spread through contaminated food and water. As a result, there is an urgent need to install a water system, so the students have access to a permanent source of fresh drinking water during the day when they are at school.

A plumbing company will install a gravity system to draw the water from a nearby spring. The subscription fees, digging of trenches, piping connection, purchase of plumbing equipment, and labor are included in the cost above. An inventory sheet prepared by a local plumber is available upon request. The committee of parents and host families will pay for the monthly consumption fee and ensure the maintenance of this system.

07/26/2025

AKROS-USA is searching for 3-4 people to serve on its volunteer board of directors for at least one year. Those with expertise in social media, law, fundraising, grant writing, and accounting are especially encouraged to apply/serve. Commitment is about 1-2 hours a month. Contact [email protected] if you are interested and want further information.

07/24/2025

AKROS-DRC is currently working on raising funds to install a permanent water system for the orphans, vulnerable children, teachers, and staff. Can you help with all or a portion of the installation cost of $750.00 USD?

Visit our Donorbox site today and select "another serious area" in the drop down menu to alert us of your desire to help with this project.

07/02/2025

As our school concludes its academic year with testing and the declaration of grades, AKROS staff and teachers wish to thank all of its donors for their support through the past year.

05/13/2025

Volunteers who have the skills, expertise, and/or training in the following areas are needed to assist AKROS with its fast growing needs that have out-paced the existing staff:

- grant writing
- fundraising
- accounting/book-keeping
- social media
- web design

If you are able to assist in a small way, for example, a few hours a month, please contact AKROS at [email protected].

We hope you will prayerfully consider this critical need in service to the vulnerable children and orphans in central Africa.

05/13/2025

The Archbishop Karl Rodig Orphanage and School (AKROS) routinely sends its supporters a monthly newsletter that highlights important updates, summaries of events, and requests for support in its efforts to serve the vulnerable orphans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in central Africa.

We strive to avoid sending out urgent calls for funding or support because we know that over time such requests can lose, frankly, their effectiveness. In this short message, however, we come to ask for your support in a critical area:

Report Cards

A total of $222 USD is needed for official report cards for every one of the school's 222 students. The deadline is May 15 (only two days away) and there are not enough funds to cover the cost. Having the report cards in advance allows teachers to complete them without making mistakes or having to update the cards due to grade changes. Crossing out or overwriting the cards voids their validity as a student record.

The cost is $1 per student.

To assist with expenses for a portion/all of the exam and the report cards, please visit our Donorbox page below and select “Education” in the dropdown menu.

We hope you will prayerfully consider this critical need in service to the vulnerable children and orphans in central Africa.

05/06/2025

Due to the spontaneous and generous $100 contribution of an anonymous donor, AKROS-DRC was able to purchase medications and health supplies for the orphans. They will treat the following diseases and illnesses: headaches, diarrhea, worms, and flu. As a way of providing accountability and demonstrating wise stewardship of contributions, AKROS provides receipts to donors for the medications and supplies purchased for the orphanage.

Another $470 USD is needed to address the remaining diseases and illnesses that are affecting the orphans.

If you wish to support medical outreach, please visit our Donorbox link and select “Medical Care” in the dropdown menu.