CT-ENA (Centre de Transit pour les Enfants Non Accompagnés), Transit Center for children without guardian – Center for the protection of small children and girls separated from their families because of war

During the negotiation with armed forces and groups for the freedom of child soldiers, other categories of children are also taken in by BVES, such as the ENA’s (Children without guardian). Sometimes these are the children of armed forces, captured by the FARDC during the course of combat and found in prison.

These children are placed in the CT-ENA, Transit center for children without guardian or involuntarily separated from their families as a result of war. There, they have access to various services and are helped in being reunited with their families.

CRS (Centre de Rattrapage scolaire), Centers of educational rehabilitation

BVES also consists of 29 centers for educational rehabilitation, created within communities that have fallen prey to the instability in South-Kivu. These are education centers for the benefit of at-risk children (displaced children, street children, orphaned children, etc.).

They provide a certificate of primary education after a period of 3 years.These structures are in place help to prevent the violation of children’s rights (recruitment by armed forces or groups, sexual exploitation etc.), but they also serve as a means of recuperation and reintegration of thousands of children who have been affected by poverty and armed conflict.

CDPDE (Centre de Documentation et de Plaidoyer pour les Droits des Enfants), Documentation and Advocacy Center for Children’s Rights

This center aims to create a live and interactive library where activity leaders, youths, children or others that are interested in the subject of children’s rights may come here to research and spark critical debates on the matter of these rights in the DRC. At present, the center is looking for book donations. A meeting room is in the process of being fitted out and already receives many visitors each month.

CPDJF (Centre pour la Protection des Droits de la Jeune Fille), Center for the Protection of Young Women’s Rights

This center promotes women’s rights from a very young age. It offers important services to young girls such as humanitarian assistance, education, medical aid and advices. The girls who have fallen victim to forced prostitution, rape, sexual violence and exploitation within armed forces and groups are welcomed there to find solutions about reintegration into the community.

CPDEDR (Centre pour la Protection des Enfants de la Rue), Center for the protection of street children

Such a phenomena is very prominent in the DRC. BVES uses this transit center to escape from marginality, provide psychological care, in addition to familial and community reintegration. This center also offers guidance on re-educating or offering a professional apprenticeship to these street children.

Community Structures for the protection of children’s rights: Nucleus, Networks, and Committees

In its community-based approach, “the community takes responsibility for the protection of children’s rights”, BVES promote such a scheme that seeks to make the community responsible in guaranteeing their children’s protection, in the more poverty stricken and unstable districts of rural towns and areas.

For more information, please contact us.