Radio-based education and entrepreneurship training offer hope and opportunity in DRC.
For more than two decades, conflict, displacement, and insecurity have disrupted the lives of millions of children and young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite these challenges, young people across the country continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination.
War Child Canada works alongside children, adolescents, and youth to help them build the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to shape their own futures. Through locally led, integrated programming, we support young people affected by conflict to access education, strengthen their wellbeing, develop livelihoods, and become active contributors to their communities.
Our approach goes beyond helping children return to school. We combine innovative education, psychosocial support, life skills training, and economic opportunities to help young people navigate the transition to adulthood and achieve greater independence.
Across our programs, War Child integrates:
- Accelerated and innovative learning approaches, including radio-based education
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Life skills and leadership development
- Inclusive education and community participation
- Livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness
- Protection and resilience-building for children and youth
By connecting education with practical skills and economic opportunity, we help young people not only recover from the effects of conflict but rebuild confidence, develop practical skills and create pathways toward education, protection, and economic independence.
A Second Chance to Learn
At 18, Pearl had been out of school for three years, spending her days caring for her younger siblings. Formal schools would no longer accept her because of her age — until she found the Social Promotion Center (CRS) in Bagira, supported by War Child. “Here, education is free, and I’ve learned to read, write, and calculate,” she says proudly. “Now I feel happy studying alongside others.” Pearl dreams of becoming a midwife, helping women and families in her community — and she encourages other girls like her to return to school and chase their dreams.
Mboya
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