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USAID Information:
External Links:
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Program for Reducing Abandonment of Children
Implementing Partners: Save the Children UK
Funding Period: September 2006 – September 2009
Amount: $3,592,445
Purpose: Prevent the abandonment and separation of
children in the three zones of Kinshasa, Mbuji May, and Bukavu and the areas
surrounding these population centers.
Accomplishments (as of September 30, 2007)
- Sensitized more than 25,000 religious leaders, parents, children, community members and
decision makers on means of protecting children and ensuring their rights
- Obtained the release of 350 illegally imprisoned children
- Reunified over 1,100 children with their families
- Through the sensitization activities and a readiness to bring to trial those responsible for abuse and
maltreatment of children, particularly in cases involving accusations of witchcraft,
the program has made significant progress towards creating an environment whereby it is no longer possible to
publicly denounce a ‘child witch’ in Mbuji-Mayi without fear of legal reprisals
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War and unrest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC) in the second half of the 1990’s led to the
displacement of an estimated 1.1 million of its inhabitants. Many fled conflict areas for urban centers in
central and southern DROC. Rapid increases in urban populations have strained families and communities and
contributed to increased poverty and marginalization of the poor, and the deterioration of the social and
legal structure otherwise in place to protect children separated from parents or appropriate caregivers.
USAID's Displaced Children and Orphans Fund supports Save the Children UK’s Program for Reducing Abandonment of
Children, which works in the urban centers of Kinshasa, Mbuji Mayi, and Bukavu to assist children who have been
separated from or abandoned by parents or caregivers and children who have suffered abuse or unjust imprisonment.
Save works closely with local partners, Community Child Protection Networks (RECOPE), and child support centers in
this effort.
In the three program sites, Save has identified a local partner organization with the necessary skills to
denounce cases of child abuse and mistreatment. Save is also working to develop a cadre of local partners,
such as child support and shelter centers, to conduct child/family and community reunifications.
Following up on work initiated under the previous DCOF-sponsored program, the Separated and Abandoned Children
Program, Save UK is working to restructure existing community networks. These networks of community members
provide opportunities for participants to discuss child protection concerns and identify steps that groups and
individuals can take to address incidences of child abandonment or abuse.
Save also conducts activities to education and sensitize caregivers and community leaders on child protection
issues. In Kinshasa, parental discussion groups of both adults and children—those who are providing care for
younger siblings—address issues such as dialogue within the family, children’s rights and needs, and the
demystification of diseases that cause parents to accuse their children of witchcraft. Discussion groups are
also held for community religious leaders.
In addition to working with local organizations to directly assist children and families, Save UK works with
government officials to implement policies and strategies for the protection of children. The program offered
technical support in the drafting of the Child Protection Code, and is providing financial and logistical
support to DROC’s National Child Council, the national structure in charge of monitoring children’s rights.
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