In March 2012, two young women (one Canadian and one British) sat in a hotel in Goma, reflecting on their time living in DRC. It was clear that humanitarian aid was (and still is!) essential in DRC. However, it was also clear that DRC was only going to see positive change through the development of good leadership, of resilient individuals and communities, and the creation of sustainable work opportunities. The young people the women had met in DRC were passionate, intelligent and hopeful, and they believed that they had some resources available to them that might be able to help make their dreams of a better Congo a reality.
The World Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Programme is our transferable skills and leadership development training course.
The WYLD programme is an intensive activity and discussion based initial training course. Through peer-learning techniques, we aim to build transferable ‘life’ and leadership skills in problem-solving, communication, creativity, enterprise and leadership with integrity. Designed to work specifically with young people who are growing up in difficult contexts, giving young people the space to dream, the support to achieve and the tools to overcome barriers builds resilience, opportunities and, most importantly, hope for a positive future.
Inspiration – Everyone can be inspired and be inspirational, and every person is called to inspire within their own environment – this comes from a heart of integrity and is played out in the home, community and further.
Creativity – We are created by God to be creative. We will always try to think and do things creatively.
Christ-centred – We want to reflect God’s love in every activity to everyone we meet. Our programmes are open for all young people, of any faith or none.
Youthful – Whatever age we are, we want to embrace the energy and vibrancy of youth, the passion and determination of youth, and to somehow capture the innocence of youth that will enable us to look at the world with fresh eyes in all that we do.
Together – We value individuals but know that life is about teamwork in many different contexts. We work inclusively with all people, without discrimination, and seek to bring together people of all backgrounds, experience, race, wealth, gender, ethnicity, faith or none. We love being together and strive for unity.
We have 1 team in 2 countries, our main team based in the DRC and a second team working behind the scenes in the UK.
Assistant Director
Programmes Coordinator
Organisation Officer (Intern)
Engagement Officer (Intern)
Director and Founding Member
UK Supporter Engagement and Secretary to the Board
Grants and Fundraising Lead
Trustee, Co-Chair
Trustee, Co-Chair
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
The Democratic Republic of Congo is approximately the size of Western Europe and is extremely wealthy in natural resources, beautiful rainforest and dramatic landscapes, as well as a vibrant and hospitable culture. Yet for decades, DRC has been characterized by extreme violence and rebel forces, mining and illegal smuggling of resources such as gold and coltan, mass population displacements, recruitment of child soldiers, widespread rape, corrupt leadership, lack of governmental infrastructure and justice, a collapse of public health services, and acute poverty.
Ongoing conflict in the eastern part of DRC has resulted in the loss of more lives than any other conflict since World War II – a reported 5.4 million since 1998 – and in the last year alone, 2.7 million people were forced to flee their homes. According to the UNDP’s Human Development Index, DRC is the most underdeveloped country in the world.
The conflict has had the largest impact on women and children and, with an average of 48 women and girls raped every hour, it is one of the most dangerous countries for a woman to live. In some areas as many as 1 in 5 children die before the age of 5, most often due to preventable to diseases. Over 4 million children are orphaned. More than 25% of children ages 5 to 14 are already working. Tens of thousands of children in DRC have fled their families due to abuse or being accused of witchcraft, and most of these children now live on the streets of towns and cities, vulnerable to further violence and abuse. The 2008 Child Soldiers Global Report suggests that approximately 30,000 children were involved in armed forces and other militias at the end of 2003.
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