Child labor is work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and is harmful to physical and mental development. As many as 152 million children worldwide are engaged in child labor. Let’s break this topic down — in photos.
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.
- Youth are being empowered as leaders in their communities. After learning about their rights, youth leaders then led trainings where they educated their peers. Additionally, youth taught their peers other key life skills and spoke on issues affecting them in their communities.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Over 10,000 children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have access to safe water after World Vision helped establish new water sources closer to communities that need them.
- Parents are being empowered to give their children the best nutrition and healthcare possible. World Vision hosted trainings where parents were given tools and resources to give their kids healthier food and prevent illnesses.
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.
- Students who were enrolled but at risk of dropping out received resources and training that encouraged them to stay in school. Other students who didn't have access to education are now able to attend school because school board members reached out to parents and helped them understand the importance of education for their children's lives.
- Students have improved schools and learning resources after World Vision helped construct new classrooms, renovate existing ones, and provide schools with books, computers, and desks.
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 millions of children affected by fighting, hunger, diseases, and poverty.
From the Field
Forced to flee: Top countries refugees are coming from
More than 70.8 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced. Why did they flee, where are they going, and what can be done to address the plight of refugees, especially children?
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