In Kinshasa, thousands of children in street situations face violence, exploitation, and exclusion. Although the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees protection and dignity for every child, this promise often remains out of reach for those growing up on the streets. Deprived of adequate protection and facing constant insecurity, these children experience physical, psychological, and sexual violence, further compounded by stigma and the limited recognition of their rights.
In response to these realities, FAAI and its partners are launching an awareness campaign on 20 November, the International Children’s Day, under the message: “Being protected from violence is a right. Even on the street!” This mobilisation aims to remind the public that every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, free from all forms of violence, including those living in street situations.
As part of its regional programme in Central Africa dedicated to children in street situations, FAAI works alongside its local partners — the Vivre et Travailler Autrement (VTA) centre and the Oeuvre de Suivi, d’Éducation et de Protection des Enfants de la Rue (OSEPER) — to prevent violence and support these children toward a safer future. Meet Dorcas, formerly in a street situation, Solange, an educator at the VTA centre, and John, nurse and educator at OSEPER, who share the challenges and hopes of this mission at the heart of Kinshasa.
At VTA, a centre dedicated to welcoming and supporting the reintegration of girls, every journey is a story of resilience. The centre provides safe accommodation, psychological support, catch-up education and tailored guidance to help girls reintegrate into society.
Dorcas, now 20 years old, experienced the violence and insecurity of the streets before finding stability through this support:
“There was no safety at all. We suffered violence, especially as girls, and faced a great deal of mistreatment and abuse.”
For Solange, an educator at the centre, stability and attentive care are essential: “Children are deeply traumatised by what they experience on the streets. Some lose their sense of direction completely…”
Each girl welcomed at the VTA Centre carries her own story, yet all share the same aspiration: to reclaim their place in society. At the VTA Centre, educators play a vital role: they support each girl as she rebuilds her balance, guide her through her educational journey and help her prepare for sustainable reintegration. Their mission is to provide a safe environment, attentive listening and tailored support, enabling each young girl to regain confidence and move towards a safer future.
John Lemba, a nurse and educator at OSEPER since 2006, describes the daily outreach work: “There are about five of us — nurses, educators, psychologists, and drivers. As soon as we arrive on the sites, the children know we’re coming and they come towards us.”
But building this trust takes time. The children are regularly chased away, moved by the police, or rejected by local residents, making follow-up particularly challenging. As John reminds us: “We need to explain our actions to everyone in order to be able to work with these children."
These rounds are not limited to making contact; they allow the team to provide an immediate and concrete response to the children’s needs. Jhon explains how the team intervenes on the ground:
“The aim is to identify the children, raise their awareness, and take them by ambulance if necessary. We assess their problems to find solutions: if they have a wound, we treat it; if they have a fever, we provide care; if they need a surgeon, we prepare a referral letter to another medical institution.”
Beyond medical care, awareness-raising is a central part of the team’s work: helping children understand their rights, their worth, and the possibilities open to them: “We show the children the importance of society and how to live within it.” This reality highlights the importance of continuing awareness-raising and advocacy efforts. It reminds us how essential it is to ensure that authorities, local communities and society as a whole recognise that children in street situations are, above all, children like any others holders of rights, and of dreams.
