What can I do to help Child Soldiers in DR Congo?

Nov 18, 2011 by sOli    1 Comment     Posted under: News, Project

This was the theme on a workshop held by PfC the 15.th of November. Dan Andersson from Hope in Action was there together with Gro Bøckmann Randby and Marcus Bleasdale, they shared their experience from DR Congo and how to help these children to a better future.

Hope in Action and Gro B Randby has worked in DR Congo since 1994. Rebuilding health clinics, schools and hospitals, assisting refugees, victims of sexual violence and child soldiers.
So far more than 6400 child soldiers are demobilized, rehabilitated and reintegrated in to civil life. The children have got some small education and skill training during their rehabilitation period. We want to increase this part of the work by building tree vocational training centre.

The centre will be located in tree villages where many of the former child soldiers are reintegrated during the last years.

The vocational training centre will be equipped with professional tools and machines. The teachers are highly trained in their profession. The training will last for one year with final examination in the actual profession and a start kit with tools.

The course will also include knowledge in the establishment of small businesses. The aim is that the former child soldiers can go together and create a business in their home village. They will be able to make a living and build their country instead of ruin it by war.

The cost of each vocational training centre: 30 000 $ (180 000 NOK )

The cost of a start kit for one child: 200 $ (1200 NOK )

The cost of one child’s education: 170 $ (1000 NOK )

Take action


A group of young people in a village outside Oslo will buy a container and fill it with tools, machines and utensils that child soldiers can benefit from when they build their company. Follow this page. When this project is started, all of you can contribute with concrete assistance to the child soldiers by helping to fill the container.

When the container is full it will be shipped to DRC.

Have you managed to build up a business in Norway? Do yo dream of using your skills to create growth and development in Africa?

We are planning to arrange a trip to Beni/Butembo in North Kivu, DR Congo, where thousands of child soldiers are back in their villages. If you pay the journey yourself, you can visit the villages and talk with village management and staff who have worked with the child soldiers the past eight years. Together we can find new ways to end poverty and help people in Congo build their country.

Agriculture will also be part of the vocational training program. Many children know how to farm and to take care of a livestock production. You can be involved by buying land and farming equipment for the children. They will form cooperatives and be engaged in agriculture projects together.

Students for Change are planning to involve students in helping child soldiers in Congo back to a normal life. They will arrange a workshop at Chateau Neuf in Februar to find out what students can do.

Strange News is a multimedia performance in which a young Ugandan actor stands in front of a large symphony orchestra and tells his story through powerful surround sound and realistic video. The play has so far been set up in ten countries in Europe, USA and Latin America. It was back in Norway the 27th of October and PfC was a partner in this performance.

Click here to learn more about the performance

Click here to learn more about child soldiers in DR Kongo

If you want to know more, or be engaged in this, contact Hope in Action’s contact in Norway, Gro Bøckmann Randby

You can give a one-time gift or enrol as a regular donor.

Account number Hope in Action Norway:

Verdibanken: 9791 11 37775


Contact person:


Gro Bøckmann Randby
Women Empowerment/Partnership for Change

e-mail: grobr@mac.com

mobil: +47 918 93 107