Democratic Republic of Congo Case Studies

Justin is a 17 year old boy. He was found alone on the streets 5 years ago. He was orphaned and had no one to turn to. His time at one of the centres for street children that War Child supports has helped him regain his confidence and set up a small carpentry business.

Remi was demobilised from the MLC militia two years ago. Unable to go to school and with a family to raise War Child provided him with a livelihood grant to help him get his life back on track.

All the children that War Child is currently supporting in Gbadolite tell a similar story. They all demobilised from militia with dependents, including a wife and at least one child. Alain is just one of the former child soldiers we have provided assistance to.

Ahmed is 13 years old. He has been working on the streets of Iraq since 2003. Since starting to attend one of War Child's drop in centres he has been able to learn new skills and get a job to support his brothers and sisters.

Poverty has forced many Iraqi children into prostition and the sex trade. Boys and girls have been forced by their own families to partake in dangerous, emotionally damaging activities. These stories describe the experiences of three children War Child has spoken to about their involvement in this shocking practice.

7 year old Mireille and her brother were rejected by their family after being accused of witchcraft. They lived on the streets until Mireille was found by staff from one of our street children's centres. War Child have been able to help her rebuild her relationship with her parents.

Zahara was already pregnant when she was sentanced to 10 years in jail. Her child Karim was born in jail and she was forced to raise him in shocking conditions. He is now able to attend a kindergarten run by War Child where he receives proper care.

Taiba was jailed for adultery after enduring two years of sexual abuse by an older man. She was 14 and pregnant. She endured physical and emotional abuse at the hands of prisoners and staff. War Child has seperated Taiba from the adults in prison and has helped her rebuild her relationship with her family.

In order to support himself and his family 14 year old Najib became involved in the drugs trade across the Afghan/Iranian border. He ended up in prison in both countries where he endured terrible conditions and abuse. War Child has seperated Najib from the adults in prison and now supports him through training and education.

After Joseph lost his parents to HIV/AIDS he ended up on the streets of Kinshasa where he was subjected to abuse by police and accused of witchcraft.  Thanks to War Child's local community 'listening posts' Joseph is now off the streets and in one of our centres.

War Child’s Livelihood Grants Programme offers support to families that enable them to make a living and enough money to ensure that their children do not fall victim to poverty and lack of basic education.

Cédric was just nine years old when he was orphaned. Thrown out and rejected by his extended family and the community as a whole after accusations of witchcraft, Cédric faced poverty, hunger, and the danger of living on Kinshasa's streets.