Childhood is a Necessity
We have a proven model ready and in place, we have relationships and we have the heart for these street children; but we need YOUR help.
The Problem
A concrete case
Since the end of World War II, the Congolese civil war has been one of the most devastating wars with more than 4.5 millions deaths and millions displaced. Because of the civil war and various diseases such as AIDS, many children have become orphaned in the Congo. Thousands of children have been separated from their families due to all sorts of abuse. It is awful to see that thousands of Congolese children are destined to poverty and diseases from the first day they are born.
According to the United Nations World Youth Report 2005, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest concentration of children who are undernourished. The report also stipulates that young people who live in difficult circumstances are often at risk of delinquency and the perpetuation of the cycle of poverty. These various problems have lead to the emergence of street children commonly called “Shegue” in DR Congo.
Consider these statistics about Congo:
Thousands of children ages 4 to 16 struggle without having their most basic needs met. During the day, street children are common beggars in the market places. Some of them are more business oriented. They offer their services such as carrying people’s groceries, as a mean of obtaining some money even though the amount is meaningless. Some children try to find food in garbage dumps. At night, “Shegue” can be found sleeping on hard cement or “beds” that they have made by using plastic bags, cardboards or plywood. Others sleep on market place tables, street benches or even on top of cemeteries where they can be “at peace.” Such harsh conditions have caused these children to loose all hope of obtaining a basic education. Therefore, their lives are resumed to begging and stealing in order to find something to eat.
A concrete case
Since the end of World War II, the Congolese civil war has been one of the most devastating wars with more than 4.5 millions deaths and millions displaced. Because of the civil war and various diseases such as AIDS, many children have become orphaned in the Congo. Thousands of children have been separated from their families due to all sorts of abuse. It is awful to see that thousands of Congolese children are destined to poverty and diseases from the first day they are born.
According to the United Nations World Youth Report 2005, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest concentration of children who are undernourished. The report also stipulates that young people who live in difficult circumstances are often at risk of delinquency and the perpetuation of the cycle of poverty. These various problems have lead to the emergence of street children commonly called “Shegue” in DR Congo.
Consider these statistics about Congo:
- Approximately 1,200 people die daily due to violence, avoidable diseases or malnutrition.
- An estimated 1 million children younger than 17 years had lost one or both parents to AIDS.
- Each year, about 5,023 children including infants become street children in Kinshasa.
- More than 35,000 children live on the streets of Kinshasa.
Thousands of children ages 4 to 16 struggle without having their most basic needs met. During the day, street children are common beggars in the market places. Some of them are more business oriented. They offer their services such as carrying people’s groceries, as a mean of obtaining some money even though the amount is meaningless. Some children try to find food in garbage dumps. At night, “Shegue” can be found sleeping on hard cement or “beds” that they have made by using plastic bags, cardboards or plywood. Others sleep on market place tables, street benches or even on top of cemeteries where they can be “at peace.” Such harsh conditions have caused these children to loose all hope of obtaining a basic education. Therefore, their lives are resumed to begging and stealing in order to find something to eat.
Our Solution
Children Rescue
Well Being For All was created to address the issues of this particular group of children and is strategically positioned to offer help, hope, encouragement and advices to this increasing street children population with our “Children Rescue” program.“Children Rescue” is a program that snatches street children out of the street and improve their overall well-being by offering them a more decent life. We inspire these children so that they may find a purpose for their lives. We boost their self-confidence and improve their overall lifestyle by making them aware of the potential they have and helping them to develop the latter.
Children who live on the street are often marginalized by the majority of the population. Because of that, it is difficult for them to trust people. Therefore, we build a relationship with them. In order to do so, we meet them on their level. Trained volunteers meet children on the street in different areas of the city of Kinshasa. We start by listening to the children and answering to their basic needs. We offer them food, clothes and hygiene products. We assist them concerning their health (hygiene, detoxification,...).
The organization is actively working on obtaining a house where children will have a safe place to sleep, eat, play and be nurtured. In addition, we research host families that are willing to take care of them. We collaborate with local organizations that place them and provide shelters for them and connect them to decent family homes so that they can benefit from living in a well-structured home.
Aid for Sustainable Well Being partially contributes to some children’s needs in their host families. Even when they are placed in their respective families, we maintain the relationship we initiated with the children. Furthermore, after having found the children a place to live, we participate in their education. Our goal is to make them realize their inner value and potential and more importantly help them become successful in the society.
We believe that after street children have come out of their situation, they can be a powerful inspiration to other children. Hence, quarterly, we provide a platform for children, once they have come out of their situation, to share their experience with other children who are in the same situation they were in as well as other children.
Children Rescue
Well Being For All was created to address the issues of this particular group of children and is strategically positioned to offer help, hope, encouragement and advices to this increasing street children population with our “Children Rescue” program.“Children Rescue” is a program that snatches street children out of the street and improve their overall well-being by offering them a more decent life. We inspire these children so that they may find a purpose for their lives. We boost their self-confidence and improve their overall lifestyle by making them aware of the potential they have and helping them to develop the latter.
Children who live on the street are often marginalized by the majority of the population. Because of that, it is difficult for them to trust people. Therefore, we build a relationship with them. In order to do so, we meet them on their level. Trained volunteers meet children on the street in different areas of the city of Kinshasa. We start by listening to the children and answering to their basic needs. We offer them food, clothes and hygiene products. We assist them concerning their health (hygiene, detoxification,...).
The organization is actively working on obtaining a house where children will have a safe place to sleep, eat, play and be nurtured. In addition, we research host families that are willing to take care of them. We collaborate with local organizations that place them and provide shelters for them and connect them to decent family homes so that they can benefit from living in a well-structured home.
Aid for Sustainable Well Being partially contributes to some children’s needs in their host families. Even when they are placed in their respective families, we maintain the relationship we initiated with the children. Furthermore, after having found the children a place to live, we participate in their education. Our goal is to make them realize their inner value and potential and more importantly help them become successful in the society.
We believe that after street children have come out of their situation, they can be a powerful inspiration to other children. Hence, quarterly, we provide a platform for children, once they have come out of their situation, to share their experience with other children who are in the same situation they were in as well as other children.
Method of Action
First, our trained volunteers reach them on the streets of Kinshasa. We inform them about the dangers associated to their lifestyle. We show them that they can hope for a better life and compel them to come out of the street.
Second, we provide them with food, and other products of first necessity such as clothes, hygiene products and blankets. We prepare the children who are cooperative for their re-insertion into the society. We insure their detoxification and teach them some ethical notions.
Thirdly, we research proper homes where street children are given a chance to grow as normal children. We also work in collaboration with local agencies that provide homes for street children. Furthermore, since most people’s economical status is below the poverty level, we offer the host family some food and clothing items that will enable them to sustain the well-being of the adoptee child or children.
Finally, having found a place where the children can have a decent life, we financially participate in their education. Furthermore, we encourage them to inspire other children during the different venues that we hold to find a solution about the street children problem.
First, our trained volunteers reach them on the streets of Kinshasa. We inform them about the dangers associated to their lifestyle. We show them that they can hope for a better life and compel them to come out of the street.
Second, we provide them with food, and other products of first necessity such as clothes, hygiene products and blankets. We prepare the children who are cooperative for their re-insertion into the society. We insure their detoxification and teach them some ethical notions.
Thirdly, we research proper homes where street children are given a chance to grow as normal children. We also work in collaboration with local agencies that provide homes for street children. Furthermore, since most people’s economical status is below the poverty level, we offer the host family some food and clothing items that will enable them to sustain the well-being of the adoptee child or children.
Finally, having found a place where the children can have a decent life, we financially participate in their education. Furthermore, we encourage them to inspire other children during the different venues that we hold to find a solution about the street children problem.