Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)-The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a project for street children. The program was presented by Ferdinand Kambere Kalumbi, Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity. The project aims primarily to tackle the serious problems faced by these young people: extreme poverty, conflict, malnutrition, malaria, neglect and abuse, the worst forms of labor, AIDS. According to the Minister of Social Affairs, there are about 60,000 street children in the DRC, of whom 14,000 in the capital, Kinshasa. 74% are boys and 26% girls. 20% of these have never attended school, while 64% only have primary education.
According to Don Paul Augustin Madimba, pastor of Notre-Dame de Grâce in Kinshasa, who was interviewed by the newspaper "Le Potentiel", "the main reason for this phenomenon must be sought in the social situation of the country. The misery in which the population rots away has thrown several families in total instability. The parents are unemployed and do not know how to shoulder their responsibilities. Even the famous African solidarity no longer exists. The proof of the fact that many street children are victims of mistreatment of their parents and others. "According to the priest, the solution to this situation is to fight poverty through development, and to strengthen the school system. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 20/06/2011)
