Dream School Democratic Republic of Congo
The Background
This 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 has nearly 200 children (orphans) being supported with school fees, uniforms, and books.
In 2015 we received a one-time donation earmarked for this purpose, but this program was primarily supported out of our general fund. Continuing this program requires funding over and above the specific orphan care funds received from our faithful monthly donors. The children enrolled in the program know where their support is coming from and are so appreciative. We estimate that this program can be administered for under $3.00 per child per month.
The Vision
We can see real opportunity for orphaned children to stay with extended family and also have the availability to attend school. There are many benefits to the child staying with extended family and not being 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.
Nearly all of the children enrolled in the Dream School program would not have access to school without our help.
The Need
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country of nearly 80 million people with an orphan population of approximately 4 million. Many of these children remain with extended family and most of these extended families have biological children as well. Ultimately, when resources don’t allow for food, clothing, and education as needed, these orphan children are last in line not having the same rights as the other children. Education is a luxury that they generally can’t afford - especially to the orphans in their home. Almost 3 in 10 of these children are denied access to school. In some instances, large people groups deny the existence of orphans dismissing any efforts to address their plight.
The Facts
Global Orphan Relief in partnership with Noah Ministries has supported the Dream School program in The DRC since October 2014 and hopes to expand the program in subsequent years.
If you would like to make a donation to help the orphans of The DRC go to school, please use the form below.
Dream School — DRC
The primary objective is to provide all of God’s love that can be given through a “home and family” to a homeless orphan child. We acknowledge our utter dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this objective. More often than not, the Holy Spirit uses someone just like you to provide for those needs.