Above: ATD Fourth World members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including some who live on the streets

Support for children and young people living on the streets

ATD Fourth World in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) provides support and solidarity to children and young people living on the streets in cases where reunification with their biological families is not possible.  Another key initiative is a reintegration programme that provides children and young people with a protective, stable family environment in local foster families. Throughout the process, program facilitators support the children, listening attentively and seeking to understand their backgrounds, needs, traumas, and aspirations.  Foster families receive parenting classes, training in children’s rights, and ongoing support.

In this article, we explore the emotional journey of Vanessa, a young girl currently supported by ATD Fourth World.

Life on the streets

Vanessa, now 17, was born in Ngweshe in the Walungu territory of the DRC. Coming from a family that relies on small-scale agriculture and sells vegetables in the suburban areas of Bukavu, she never had the chance to go to school. From the age of 9, she worked daily alongside her mother and sister. Described as being a brave, polite, and respectful young girl, she was a quiet source of strength for her family.

One Saturday, while she was helping her mother and sister, they suddenly lost track of each other. Disoriented, Vanessa was unable to find her way home, and her family was unable to find her. Without a choice, she began to navigate life on the street.  In a context marked by political instability and armed conflict, this situation is unfortunately possible, unrelated to parental negligence. Violence, forced displacement, and persistent insecurity in several regions make it extremely difficult to search for and reunite families. These challenges are compounded by other realities, including poverty, precarious living conditions, the lack of legal identity, and limited access to communication.

At 16, while living on the streets, another traumatic event would mark her life: Vanessa was sexually assaulted by two strangers.  A little girl called Francine was born of this assault. With no resources or access to healthcare, the baby was unable to receive vaccinations or a birth certificate. Since then, Vanessa and her child have been sleeping under the stars, left vulnerable and exposed to the cold.

Isolated and feeling rejected, Vanessa found herself without any family support or the possibility of working.  When she tried to seek assistance at the social service centre, she was unfortunately advised to give up her baby, a suggestion she could never accept. “It [would have been] the most difficult thing to do, I can’t let her grow up without me,” she confides.

As the security situation in Bukavu continues to decline, life on the streets has become increasingly dangerous. The M23 rebels — who exercise legal authority in the region despite being unrecognised by the government in Kinshasa — are actively targeting young people and children to forcibly recruit them for military training, regardless of their gender or individual circumstances. Today, neither the streets nor the community centres can provide a safe haven for Vanessa and her daughter.

Connecting with ATD Fourth World

Vanessa recently had the opportunity to connect with members of ATD Fourth World, who listened to her and offered their support. Thanks to the dedicated facilitators, her child received much-needed care and vaccinations at a local health centre. Inspired by their guidance, Vanessa and her friends decided to set a better example for the children in their lives.

Today, young members of ATD Fourth World continue to stand by Vanessa, helping to restore her hope and reinforce her dignity. Although Vanessa and her daughter, Francine, are facing a difficult challenge, their story serves as a potent reminder that behind every face on the street is a life filled with strength, resilience, and a call for solidarity.

This situation calls for our collective attention and a compassionate, sustainable response to the many children living on the streets. These vulnerable children face significant risks without protection or security, and we must address their plight and continue to work towards providing them with a safe environment and support.