Child Protection Congo, Democratic Republic of the Project #65482

Save the children from the mines in the DRC

by OBERVATOIRE DE LA GOUVERNACE ET DES DROITS HUMAINS EN RDC

Project Report | Jun 12, 2025
Restoring Hope: Rescuing Children from Mines

By FERDINAND CITO | PROJECT MANAGER

MINE IN CONGO

Implementing Organization:

Project Location:

Artisanal Mining Sites, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Background and Problem Statement

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in South Kivu, thousands of children are trapped in hazardous labor in artisanal mining sites. According to a 2023 report by CARITAS, approximately 5,000 children are exploited in dangerous mining conditions at each mining site. These children, both boys and girls, work under inhumane conditions—without protective equipment, exposed to diseases, sexual violence, physical exhaustion, landslides, and fatal accidents.

They are deprived of basic rights such as access to education, family life, and the ability to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. The exploitation of children in these mineral-rich areas feeds into global supply chains, making this both a humanitarian and ethical crisis.

Project Objective

The primary goal of this project is to raise awareness and combat child labor in artisanal mining sites in South Kivu and to rescue and rehabilitate 100 children currently working in these dangerous environments.

Specific Objectives

Raise awareness among artisanal mining cooperatives, families, and local authorities on the dangers of child labor.
Rescue and support 100 children from mining activities.
Provide education, psychosocial support, and vocational training to rescued children.
Promote sustainable reintegration of children into their communities and the education system.
Advocate for responsible mineral sourcing practices that exclude child labor.

Key Activities

Conduct community awareness campaigns and dialogue sessions with stakeholders.
Identify and withdraw children from mining sites through community-based mechanisms.
Provide school reintegration programs, including school supplies, tuition support, and uniforms.
Establish child-friendly spaces and organize recreational and healing activities.
Offer vocational and life skills training to older children and youth.
Engage local and national authorities to implement and monitor anti-child labor policies.
Collaborate with mining cooperatives to develop child-labor-free certification systems.

Target Beneficiaries

100 children (aged 6–17) currently working in artisanal mines.
Families of rescued children.
Artisanal mining cooperatives.
Community leaders and local authorities.

Expected Long-Term Impact

Children will be protected from exploitation, provided with education, and given tools for self-empowerment.
Communities will be more aware and engaged in protecting child rights.
Mining cooperatives will work towards sustainable, child-labor-free supply chains.
The cycle of poverty and exploitation in mining communities will be gradually broken.

Budget Overview

Budget Item

Estimated Cost (USD)

Awareness Campaigns

3,000

School Reintegration (100 children)

8,000

Psychosocial and Recreational Support

2,500

Vocational Training

3,000

Monitoring and Evaluation

1,500

Staff and Logistics

2,000

Total Budget

20,000 USD

As of today, we have raised 151 USD, which is insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the children and the scope of this intervention. However, with our partnership and visibility through GlobalGiving, we are confident that we will meet our funding target by 2025.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monthly reports on rescued children and activities conducted.
Quarterly evaluations on education progress, health, and psychosocial status.
Community feedback sessions and independent audits of the program.

Call to Action

We invite donors, development partners, and ethical stakeholders in the mineral supply chain to join us in saving lives and restoring childhoods. Your support can change the life trajectory of these children—from exploitation to education, from risk to opportunity.

Together, we can create a future where no child is forced to dig for minerals but can dream, grow, and thrive in safety.

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Feb 3, 2025
Preparation of the Initiative to Help Children

By Cito Ferdinand | Project Manager

Children in DRC during times of crisis

1. Introduction:
The project "Helping children in times of disaster" aims to provide essential support to vulnerable children in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when disasters strike. These situations particularly affect access to education, nutrition, healthcare, and protection services. Girls, children with disabilities, and those living in poverty are the most impacted. This report outlines the preparation steps for the project's implementation, highlighting ongoing meetings to effectively organize future actions.

2. Project Objectives:

Provide direct support to children affected by disasters (access to education, nutrition, healthcare, and protection).
Ensure a rapid response to the needs of vulnerable children, especially those from poor families, girls, and children with disabilities.
Implement sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of disasters and climate change on children.

3. Ongoing Preparation Process:
Meetings are currently underway to lay the foundation for the project in collaboration with local and international partners, including GlobalGiving. These meetings aim to coordinate efforts, define roles and responsibilities, and prepare the necessary resources to ensure the success of the project.

4. Collaboration with GlobalGiving:
Thanks to the collaboration with GlobalGiving, a recognized platform supporting humanitarian initiatives, we are assured of transparent fund management and global visibility to mobilize more support. This partnership strengthens our ability to achieve the project’s goals, engaging donors committed to improving the lives of children in crisis situations.

5. Project Budget:
The total budget for the project’s implementation is estimated at 9975 USD. To date, 25 USD has been raised. While this initial amount is modest, it represents the first step in mobilizing the necessary resources. The funds raised will be used for the preparatory phase, including organizing meetings, mobilizing local communities, and planning actions on the ground.

6. Next Steps:

Finalization of preparatory meetings with local partners and authorities.
Development of a detailed plan for the first phase of emergency response.
Launch of the fundraising campaign to reach the project’s full budget.
Deployment of concrete actions on the ground to support children affected by disasters.

Although the initial funding is limited, the ongoing preparations and collaboration with GlobalGiving ensure that we are on the right track to achieve our goal. The current meetings are laying a solid foundation for the effective implementation of the project. We are confident that, with the commitment of donors and partners, we can make a significant impact on the lives of children in DRC during times of crisis.

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Dec 11, 2024
Mapping mining sites exploiting child labor

By CITO CIBAMBO FERDINAND | PROGRAM MANAGER

Childreen in the mine in DRCongo

Period: Preparatory Phase - 2024

Context and Objectives
To identify, document, and raise awareness about child exploitation in artisanal mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically in the Mwenga territory of South Kivu. This initiative is part of OGDH ASBL's efforts to contribute to the eradication of child labor in mining areas.

Activities Completed

1. Identification and Documentation of Mining Sites

- Budget Utilized: $550 funded by OGDH ASBL's own resources.
- Human Resource Mobilization:
- Two field mobilizers were financially motivated to conduct the identification and documentation work.
- Sites Identified:
- Bungombe site, Mwenga territory.
- Kamitunga mine, Mwenga territory.
- Shabunda site, Shabunda territory.
- Preliminary Results:
Over 500 children working in these sites were identified. These children urgently require intervention to remove them from mining activities.

2. Planning for the Next Steps

- Upcoming Activities:
- Comprehensive documentation of the children involved.
- Organizing awareness campaigns targeting mining operators and families to advocate for the removal of children from the mines.
- Establishing support and reintegration mechanisms for the affected children.
- Estimated Budget for Full Implementation: $20,000.

3. Ongoing Fundraising Campaign

- A fundraising campaign has been launched on the GlobalGiving platform to collect the necessary amount to begin the project in 2025. We aim to secure the full $20,000 before the start of the year.

Administrative Preparations for 2025
Currently, OGDH ASBL is finalizing administrative preparations to ensure the project is budgeted and ready for implementation in the first quarter of 2025. These preparations include:
- Drafting a detailed budget.
- Developing strategic partnerships.
- Formalizing authorizations with local and national authorities.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:
- Difficult access to remote areas.
- Raising awareness among local communities about the dangers of child labor.

Opportunities:

- Potential collaboration with other NGOs working on children's rights and human rights.
- Increased project visibility through the *GlobalGiving* platform.

Conclusion and Outlook

Through a self-funded initial phase, OGDH ASBL has laid the groundwork for an ambitious project aimed at eradicating child labor in the mines of Mwenga and Shabunda territories. We remain committed to raising the necessary funds and look forward to the support of our partners and donors to achieve the objectives set for 2025.

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