197.1210 accojed 158 ok
    DR Congo, Education

    Protection for the street children of Kinshasa

    Project Number: 197.1210

    This project is committed to protecting street children in the Ngaliema slum in Kinshasa. Accojed's activities focus on counseling and psychosocial support for children and adolescents living in the streets, so that they can find stability and break behavior patterns marked by violence. When possible, reintegration into the original family or placement in host families is sought. Stable and sustainable prospects for the future are created through formal schooling and other forms of informal vocational training, as well as through leisure activities.

    Background information

    The number of street children in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is estimated at 30,000 to 70,000. About 40 percent of them are girls. Their living conditions are extreme in every respect: they live under constant threat and try to survive through odd jobs, theft, drug dealing or prostitution. The background of the phenomenon of street children is complex. Some have run away from home because they hoped for opportunities and income in the big city. Others have lost their families, who themselves were displaced in the war. Or they were abandoned by their parents because they could no longer feed them. The state offers hardly any help and usually only intervenes by violently fighting the "kuluna," the so-called youth gangs that recruit street children and threaten entire neighborhoods.

    Project goals

    Street children in the slum of Ngaliema (a neighborhood in the city of Kinshasa) find help and can participate in a reintegration program. This improves their chances of being (re)accepted by society and their families. The project focuses particularly on education and vocational training, which open up future prospects for the children and young people and offer them the possibility of a job. Psychological counseling accompanies all other project activities to ensure that the children and young people receive support and guidance.

    Target group

    The target group includes the street children in the slum of Ngaliema. They are children and young people up to the age of 18 who have lost their families or have been rejected by them and have ended up on the streets.

    Activities

    Care for 240 children and adolescents per year:

    • Identification of 240 children and young people growing up in difficult family circumstances, living on the streets and/or in conflict with the law
    • Supporting children and adolescents with food, health care, clothing, and medical assistance.
    • Psychological and spiritual support
    • Search for the families, mediation and reintegration
    • Organization of sports and socio-cultural activities

    Reintegration into the school system and support for vocational training:

    • Reintegration of children into school
    • Placement of young people in training centers and support for vocational training
    • Follow-up of 240 children after inclusion (schools and vocational training centers).

    Project progress

    55 young adults (25 of them women) were trained in 2022 in tailoring, information technology, carpentry, driving, pottery and electrics. In addition, the continuing education centers were supplied with materials and equipment.

    200 parents of street children were made aware of their responsibility as parents of difficult-to-educate children through the project theater.

    95 children and teenagers participated in the sports and employment activities such as karate, football and theater.

    Map

    DR Congo

    • Around 84 million inhabitants
    • 30,000 to 70,000 street children live in Kinshasa
    • 60 % of Kinshasa's population are under 19 years of age

    Project budget 2024

    CHF 32'200

    mg 8652

    Vera Schaffer

    Program Manager DR Congo
    â–º E-mail

    jacqueline

    Jacqueline Brunner

    Responsible Church Partnerships

    Tel. 061 260 23 37
    â–º E-mail

    Hope thanks to your support

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    Donation account Switzerland:
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