War Child Blog

Video - Andrew Mitchell in Congo

admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:54:26 +0100

This summer we took Shadow Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell to Democratic Republic of Congo to see our work with children living on the streets. Check out his video report below.

Back to the Congo

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:25:28 +0000

War Child's field director in DRC recalls a flurry of lost bags, corrupt officialdom and frustration on her journey back to Congo.

Back in Kinshasa. Every time I’m home I wonder why I do this to myself. I start worrying about passports, baggage allowances and loving home and friends and family. . .

Rain and decay in Congo

admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:05:44 +0000

Our field director in DRC on a country where death has become a way of life.

Playstations, guinea pigs and septic tanks

admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:37:18 +0000

War Child's field director in Democratic Republic of Congo learns that septic tanks and Playstations are vital tools for progress for children who live and work on the streets in Kinshasa.

Another week gone by. Time disappears. You start Monday ready for a fight – and suddenly its Friday, and you’ve done 60% of your task list and a hundred other bits and pieces.

Poverty on the steets of Kinshasa

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:35:50 +0000

Poverty is a daily struggle for thousands of people living in Kinshasa and our field director in Democratic Republic of Congo ses it every day. In her regular blog she talks about the challenge of working in these difficult conditions and the glimmers of hope along the way.

Street Life (Part 1)

admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:52:44 +0000

War Child's CEO Mark Waddington has travelled to DRC to report back on our work with children living on the streets there. In the first of several blogs from him he meets Delphin and Anna, two girls recently referred to one of our centres for street children.

I met Delphin for the first time this morning. She is five and has experienced life in a way that no child should. Her entire estate comprises a dirty old smock. No shoes. Nothing but the smock.

Street Life (Part 2)

admin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:58:31 +0100

In the second of his reports from Democratic Republic of Congo War Child's CEO Mark Waddington reports on how our centres for street children operate and how children are getting involved in their management.

Nobility, corruption and conflict in the heart of Congo

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:43:25 +0100

In the last of his blogs from Democratic Republic of Congo War Child's CEO Mark Waddington looks at life in the capital Kinshasa and the war that has left it severely impoverished.

War Child's CEO Mark Waddington In Kinshasa

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:21:04 +0100

Frere Maino

"In a partnership with War Child that's now been running for four years, the Frere Maino centre in Kinshasa houses around 40 boys ranging from 8 - 15 years of age. With War Child's help the centre has recently been refurbished with new beds, furniture, electrics, shower and toilet facilities as well as a new roof and septic tank. The children are also enjoying a wide variety of entertainment facilities such as a games room including table football and a TV."

Neutrality in a time of crisis

admin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:11:06 +0000

As Goma and North Kivu face a humanitarian crisis it is once again
the children of war burdening the greatest challenges. General Nkunda’s
campaign of terror in the name of Tutsi protection has caused the
displacement of tens of thousands of civilians in the area and has
caused much anger and resentment amongst these Congolese IDPs.
5.4 million people have died since 1998 from war-related violence,
hunger and disease. With the advance of General Nkunda’s army and
hostilities resuming with government troops, any form of a peace accord
has been severely eroded.

Routine beatings of children and extortion by the police in Kinshasa

admin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:16:54 +0000

The market at Delveaux spills onto the main road. Papaya, jack fruit and sweet potatoes piled
in perfect pyramids. Basins of caterpillars, Bananas and butchers.

Good natured banter over the price of produce reaches fever pitch.

And moving throughout are street children. Through hard work, guile and theft they make
their living and survive.

Christian tells me that it is not in his heart to steal, “but I have no job, no where to
stay and need to eat. I want to work. I want training in mechanics.”

An eye opening and emotional experience. Part 1 of 3.

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:01:22 +0000

We arrive in Kinshasa 3 hours late on a hot and humid Tuesday night, as soon as we leave the airport terminal the electricity goes down, something I come to realise happens frequently in the city. My first taste of Congolese life is a busy road side bar we find on the way into the city. Music is playing, locals are drinking and we see the first of many of Kinshasa’s 26,000 street children. They talk to us in rapid-fire French – some have shoes, some don’t but they are all smiling at us, one is even dancing a bit.

An eye opening and emotional experience. Part 2 of 3.

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:10:49 +0000

Day 1 Part 1

We wake the next day to scorching hot sunshine, tired after just a few hours sleep but excited about the day ahead. After a security briefing and my first meeting with fellow War Child staff we head out on our first visit to Frere Maino a War Child funded centre for street children.

When we arrive we’re greeted by about 35 boys, the residents of Frere Maino. Chairs have been set up outside the centre where we can all chat. We’re keen to talk directly to the boys about their experiences, why they’re here and how War Child can help improve things.

An eye opening and emotional experience. Part 3 of 3.

admin — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:44:45 +0000

Day 2

After a good night’s sleep and no insect bites, I feel ready for another day in Congo. Our first outing on day 2 is to Delveaux – a crowded and hectic market with a large population of street children. The drive through the city is an attack on the senses. There are people everywhere; walking, running, sitting, jammed into trucks, cars and vans. Burning paper and plastic bags, car fumes and mountains of rubbish make the smell of the city overwhelming.