IRFF UK May 2024 - Suffering Eastern DR Congo

often being women and children. Thousands of children have ended up

abandoned on the streets of Goma without education, often ending up in armed

groups. While women ended up victims of rape.

On 25th April 2010, 11 volunteers gathered in the Jolie Rêves Centre in Butembo

to discuss this hopeless situation.

They created a local organization, L2R-Congo, due to the lack of respect for the

rights of women and children. They aimed to bring relief to orphaned children

victims of war and women victims of violence.

Photo by Arlette Bashizi for OkayAfrica

The Centre In 2011, this group rented a centre to accommodate orphaned children, offering

them food, clothing, and medicine. Local volunteers and friends supported them,

along with other organisations (ACSD, UJF, ASODECUCA, etc).

In 2016, WCA partnered with this group to ensure the children’s safety and care.

Then, in 2018, IRFF-UK began to support the centre. The centre was able to

become independent and was then named the Hope For Children Centre.

Together with WCA, IRFF-UK offered food, clothing, medicines, and school supplies

to support their education.

H.F.C center.

Hope For Children Centre: Children receiving food donations

Rebuilding On 23rd May 2021, the centre was destroyed by lava from the volcanic eruption.

While finding a solution, the children were temporarily placed in host families.

Then the idea of building a centre was born. A plot was purchased by

local volunteers, WCA, and IRFF-UK donors. Eventually, this dream became a

reality thanks to the support of IRFF-UK, WCA, TAD, ACSD, and many local

“UK-IRFF is our most important partner. we are at the point of making the lives of these

poor children better. If we do it together we can succeed. Our trust and our hope is

Ben (Nzanzu Saasita Bienvenu)

IRFF-UK liaison in DR Congo

Left: Mount Nyiragongo eruption. Right: Hope For Children Centre rebuilt.

The Future Since 26th May 2024, the Center has been handed over to the care of TAD, with

funding from the Save 1000 Children project.

TAD will be taking care of the centre, the children’s food and education for the

next 5 years.

The local volunteers promise to continue to offer psycho-social support projects

for vulnerable women and women victims of sexual violence.

However, Ben will be focussing on personal matters for the time being.

Ben and his family, who have been supporting Hope For Children since the beginning.

“We have provided assistance to 600 children since 2011. Most were in foster families

but 120 of which 60 were in the center and 60 others in foster families were directly under our responsibility.” Ben (Nzanzu Saasita Bienvenu) IRFF-UK liaison in DR Congo

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Our Charity Is Focused on Period Poverty & Education Support In Africa IRFF UK is a UK-based charity for Africa operating projects across Africa with a dual focus on education and addressing period poverty. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to education for all and preventing female dropouts through the provision of menstruation products and education. Through this communities and youth are empowered and Africans are given

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Menstruation Should Not Be An Obstacle In Life As a charity for Africa, IRFF UK holds a strong promise to help underprivileged African girls facing cha llenges, especial ly period poverty, which makes it hard for them to go t o school . We are ded icated to breaking down t hese barriers by making sure these girls have what t hey need for their periods. By doing this, we empower t hese young minds, giving t hem the chance to stay in school , learn, and break free from the cycle of poverty.

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A Small Glimpse At The Difference IRFF UK Has Made How IRFF UK has helped in Africa so far?

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Kampala, Uganda

Destiny Junior School - ~

IRFF UK built Destiny Junior School in 2009. The children in the local area have thrived ever since!

IRFF UK bui lt Destiny Junior School in Kampala, Uganda in 2009, and has gone on to see more tha n 500 students graduates go into further education which otherwise wouldn’t have happe ned. £11 5,000 has been invested in tota l, starting from £330 a month and now at £1,150 wit h 206 st udents in total

Why Choose IRFF UK?

What makes our charity for Africa unique?

We prioritise a comprehensive What sets IRFF UK apart is our approach centred on education and commitment to more than just being empowerment to uplift individuals intermediaries in fund transfers. from poverty.

Our unique focus is on equipping We believe in creating lasting change people with the skills necessary for by empowering individuals to build a self-sustainability, fostering better future for themselves and their independence rather than dependence communities. on Western donations.

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What Our Donors Are Saying

Your efforts in the areas of The Women’s Federation for World I have been happy to supp, education, health and sustainability Peace, South London, has been projects that IRFF is runnin are vital in certain countries and supporting DestinyJunior School Uganda. In particular, I ha• truly appreciated.My family will through IRFF-UK for more than 12 donated funds towards thE continue to sponsor a child at years. Our ladies sincerely had been of a perimeter wall and at DestinyJunior School in Uganda, helping to provide a better place for at Destiny School. I really a and will endeavour to support other the children of Destiny Junior School the good work IRFF has bet causes that IRFF UK informs us in Uganda. We believe Education over the years to help about. and health are the most important people/children in Africa. things for the life of the child.

Marshall de Souza Joyce Suda Destiny School Sponsor Dolores Read Destiny School Donor Destiny School Sponsor

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