Dream School in DR Congo
The Dream School program came out of a visit to the DRC by our team in 2009. Shortly after our visit we asked our partners in-country to survey the local community near Likasi for orphans in need. We also wanted to know how we could best help these children.
The survey came back with a list of 200 confirmed orphaned children, and overwhelmingly the families simply asked for assistance with school fees. Our in-country partner then surveyed the local school to make sure that the children would receive proper instruction. The Dream School program was born from this effort.
This program started in January 2010, and when third-party financial support put the program in jeopardy in 2014, Global Orphan Relief stepped-in to fill the funding gap. This program ended 2015 with 160 children (orphans) being supported with school fees, uniforms, and books. You can support one of these children for just $4 per month!
This program has been supported out of our general fund to date, but can’t continue indefinitely without funding. The 170 orphaned children that are enrolled in the Dream School program today, but they need your help. We estimate that this program can be fully funded at $4.00 per child per month, or $8,160 annually. Go here to see how you can help -> https://globalorphanrelief.networkforgood.com/projects/22692-dream-school-scholarship-fund.
During our survey, we found many of the families to be very supportive of the orphans that are in their care, but given the choice between food and education, these children would miss out on what for most is a right -an education. We can see real opportunity for orphaned children to stay with extended family, and remain in school. There are many benefits to the child to be with extended family and not be relocated to an orphanage simply because the extended family has limited resources. In addition, there are real possibilities for the cycle of poverty to be broken given that these children will receive an education.
Many the children would not have an opportunity to attend school if not for GO!’s involvement. We believe that this is essential for any child to develop basic skills as a foundation in which to build upon. In addition, one meal a day is being served at the Dream School so the children are getting the added physical benefit of nutrition.
Without the Dream School program, and the funding required for these students, the primary education for 170 orphaned children is in jeopardy. Help 1 child with your gift of $4 monthly or help 10 children stay in school with your support of $40 per month.
Advocate with us today on the behalf of the orphaned child. You can help by joining the effort to continue the Dream School program. We’ll educate 100’s of children together and keep their dreams alive. Go to https://globalorphanrelief.networkforgood.com/projects/22692-dream-school-scholarship-fund to join today!
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.