School Scholarships for Vulnerable Youth

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Location: Goma, North Kivu Province, Eastern DRC

-Progress of our project:

Vocational training is one for Children’s Voice education programs to youth. Especially to vulnerable, abused and neglected children who have little or no literacy skills. There are many from street and from armed militias.  The children from 9 to 14 years old are accepted into an accelerated primary school where they complete two years of curriculum within one year. The whole primary cycle is done in 3 years instead of 6.

Youth ages 14-17 years old who have not gone to primary school are accepted into a vocational training program accompanied with literacy courses. 

- Story of beneficiary:

Zawadi said: “I was taken to the bush by the militia Mai Mai, after to being raped. In the bush, it was too hard. During two years, I was abused by the commander. One day punished me because I had refused him, I was sick. He delivered me to his 5 bodyguards for 7 days as a punishment.  Three days later, one of them, helped me to run away.  The chief of my avenue sent me to Children’s Voice center at Virunga. It was not easy to be integrated, thinking about what happened to me in the bush. Now I am happy. I am learning to sew. What is important is a better future for me and not to think about the past. I will work hard to get money and to buy a sewing machine for myself.”

- Accomplishments and impact:

On 25^th March 2012, Children’s Voice celebrated at its General Assembly, 8 years on community service, helping many children and women. In 6 years of the 2children centers, 3397 children acceded to school in quick program: 1616 girls and 1781 boys and 1089 young in different programs of vocational training: 488 girls and 701 boys, in mechanic, carpentry and sewing. We provide to all of them health care by our dispensary and a psychological assistance. The annual report for 2011 was presented to partners, authorities and community and beneficiaries.

Budget used:

For year 2011, usd 1,107,347.00 were used to attend the results presented.

From GlobalGiving, 2,315.54$ were received and 2,120 were used for tailor training.

- Upcoming or past events

Many children are living on the street because of the political, economic and social problems. They are abused and neglected and have little or no literacy skills, now they will have education and protection from street violence.  Specially, they are prepared for the best future in the community.

- Thanks

We would like to sincerely thank our donors for this generous donation through GlobalGiving to the School Scholarships for Vulnerable Youth. Every donation helps ensure that we can continue helping our community.

Location: Goma, North Kivu Province, Eastern DRC

Progress of our project:

In the concern of providing education to abused and neglected and unaccompanied children living in the streets who have little or no literacy skills, we offer now formal schooling and vocational training. The children from 9 to 14 years old are accepted into an accelerated primary school where they complete two years of curriculum within one year. The whole primary cycle is done in 3 years instead of 6.

Youth ages 14-17 years old who have not gone to primary school are accepted into a vocational training program accompanied with literacy courses. 

- Story of beneficiaries:

Kakule, ex child soldier, is 17 years old. He is learning mechanic as vocational training at Virunga center, one of Children’s Voice centers in Goma town.

 “ I was taken by militia from Vitchumbi, my village, in 2007 when I was 13 years old. In the bush, the Mai-Mai commandant had asked his witchcraft man to “initiate” my friends and I. He introduced strange products in us, to make us out of fear of our “enemies”. We learn to take drugs, to kill to rape women, he told us that we are protected and cannot die. In December 2010, when Kasse, my best friend, was killed in front of me, I decided to go away. I went to Monusco base and reached Goma. One day, the chief of Majengo quarter referred me to Children’s Voice center where I learn now mechanic. Now I am happy to be far from the bush. It was difficult to sleep well at night because of what I saw in the bush. I am getting assistance from the counselor in the center while I am learning mechanic.

- Accomplishments:

A new school program started in September with 907 children: 409 girls and 498 boys; 35 workshops training: in mechanic, carpentry and sewing. We provide to all of them health care by our dispensary and a psychological assistance.

- Impact:

The project helps 907 children when we planned to help 384. It is a 236% outcome. The reason is the increase of children in the streets and youth coming out of militias in the bush.

A secondary school program started in September with 57 girls and 54 boys. It is a quick program for those who have anybody to pay school fees.

Totally, we got 2219 USD from 53 donations, provided of 20000 USD requested for youth education, safe and healthy environment for vulnerable streets children living in the township of Goma. It is the benefit of the community of Goma and around. It is wonderful.

- Upcoming or past events

Many children are living on the street because of the political, economic and social problems. They are abused and neglected and have little or no literacy skills, now they will have education and protection from street violence.  Specially, they are prepared for the best future in the community.

- Thanks

We would like to sincerely thank our donors for this generous donation through GlobalGiving to the School Scholarships for Vulnerable Youth. Every donation helps ensure that we can continue helping our community.

Links:

• Children's Voice Website