As these seven of the worst disasters of 2018 show us, children and families around the world experienced tremendous pain and suffering this past year. But there remains a glimmer of light in each of them. Hope has not been snuffed out.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Why World Vision is in Democratic Republic of the Congo
In 2015, for the thirteenth year in a row, the Democratic Republic of Congo claimed positive economic growth. And yet, due to years of political instability and natural disasters, 60 percent of the population still lives on less than a dollar a day. Many families do not have access to school or healthcare for their children. To address these inequities, World Vision promoted school attendance, literacy, and girls’ education. Schools were updated with new classrooms and desks, and teachers received additional training. Healthcare initiatives last year focused on prenatal care for pregnant women and campaigns that reached remote children with physical exams and vaccinations to prevent life-threatening childhood diseases.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Democratic Republic of the Congo ❯
Progress in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- In order to strengthen protection for children, children and adults in the DRC are educated on child rights, how prevent abuse, and how to identify and respond to violations of children's rights. Parents are being educated and are participating in local level advocacy to ensure that all children have birth registrations so that they can receive the government protections and services to which they are entitled.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Through a collaboration with local partners in the DRC, access to safe water was increased by establishing new water points and strengthening the capacity of community water management committees to mobilize community contributions and maintain water system infrastructure. Partnerships with faith leaders and others in the community helped to promote healthy hygiene and sanitation practices that help protect against water-borne illnesses.
- Community health workers in the DRC worked to empower caregivers to prevent and reduce malnutrition of young children through proven approaches like Positive Deviance Hearth and Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition. Children's growth was monitored, and malnourished children were identified and treated; caregivers also learned how to prepare and feed children nutritious meals with locally available foods.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Children's reading skills in the DRC are being improved by an approach called Literacy Boost*. This approach focuses on children's reading both during and outside of school. Teachers are trained in specific techniques to teach five core skills, and communities are mobilized and trained to facilitate reading camps for children outside of school. *Literacy Boost is a copyrighted tool designed, developed, and owned by Save the Children.
- Parents in the DRC learned about the value of education so that children enroll and stay in school. Programs also provide schools with needed materials, like books and desks, to support a thriving learning environment for children.
Prayer Requests from Democratic Republic of the Congo
World Vision's staff in Democratic Republic of the Congo are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Opportunities for children to break out of the cycle of poverty.
New savings groups to pool their savings to help members start new businesses.
News from Democratic Republic of the Congo
From the Field
DRC conflict: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) threatens the lives of more than 7 million children affected by fighting, hunger, diseases, and poverty.
From the Field
Life frames: Our favorite photos of 2018
World Vision’s photographers traveled around the world this year to tell stories of children and their families. They captured moments of struggle and moments of joy. Here are their favorite photos of 2018 and the stories behind them.
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