Democratic Republic of Congo join Homeless World Cup network
| Democratic Republic of Congo join the Homeless World Cup network for the first time. Photo: Fobeworld
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be represented by NGO Fobeworld.
It’s the first time the DRC will be part of the Homeless World Cup network.
Established in 2016 they use football to engage children and young people.
The Democratic Republic of Congo becomes the latest Member Country to join the Homeless World Cup network. They will be represented by NGO Fobeworld, which runs programmes in North-Kivu Province working with children and young people (0-18 years old), many of whom are displaced due to ongoing violent conflict and war.
In the DRC many children and young people face poverty and violence from ongoing armed conflict, making them vulnerable to contracting preventable diseases, and at risk of experiencing sexual abuse, gender-based violence and being recruited as child soldiers.
Fobeworld believe that every young person needs tools and education to navigate life and health challenges.
Founded in 2016 they use football to teach young people and children life skills as well as sharing health information and supporting mental health, with the aim of helping them to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Fobeworld run programmes in Goma (Goma city, Bulengo IDP Camp), Nyiragongo Territory (Kanyaruchinya & Kibati IDP camps), Masisi Territory (Mweso refugee camp), Rutshuru Territory and Lubero Territory.
"Joining the Homeless World Cup network is a major step forward for our mission,” said Fobeworld CEO Henri-Dunant Chikuru. “It will enhance our ability to use football to empower youth, tackle critical issues, and drive positive change in conflict-affected communities in DR Congo.
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome our newest Homeless World Cup Member Country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, to our global network” said Homeless World Cup International Partnerships Manager, Zoe Hopkins.
“Having the organisation Fobeworld join the Homeless World Cup family now means the Foundation has 15 countries represented from the African continent. We look forward to learning and exchanging best practices with Fobeworld and strengthening our collaborative efforts to ensure a ball can make a positive and lasting change to lives, no matter where it is kicked.”
Their programmes include ‘Kick Out Abuse’, an educational programme addressing abuse prevention, ‘Score Against HIV’ a football-based programme tackling HIV prevention and their ‘Hadithi za Ujasiri’ [Stories of Courage] programme, which gives young people the skills to express themselves and tell their stories.
They also run the ‘Mupira wa Amani Tournament’ which promotes health awareness, conflict resolution and confidence building through sport.
Through these initiatives, they inspire and equip children and young people to overcome challenges they face, prevent illnesses and create a lasting positive legacy for themselves and their communities.
The Homeless World Cup currently has 70 Member Countries worldwide, in Africa we have partners in Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For detailed statistics on homelessness and poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo, please refer to the comprehensive report compiled by the Fobeworld field team in 2023. It highlights the situation of children in the DRC.
You can also find out more on the Member Country page for the Democratic Republic of Congo