Funding school scholarships for girls in DRC

School Scholarships for Vulnerable Girls in DRC

Project Humanitarian Report

1. Background and Rationale

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in rural areas of South Kivu, access to education for girls remains a major challenge. Extreme poverty, long distances to schools, and gender-based discrimination prevent many young girls from continuing their education.
Today, school enrollment rates for girls are significantly lower in rural areas (38%) compared to urban areas (11%). This situation exposes girls to higher risks of early marriage, early pregnancy, and sexual violence, seriously compromising their future.

The DRC is among the five poorest countries in the world. In 2023, nearly 74.6% of the population lived on less than USD 2.15 per day. Under these harsh living conditions, the fundamental right of girls to education is often violated, as the poorest families cannot afford school-related costs.

2. Project Objective

The “Funding School Scholarships for Girls in DRC” project aims to provide educational and vocational scholarships to young girls from disadvantaged communities in South Kivu.
The main objectives are to:

• improve access to higher education and vocational training;
• equip girls with practical and sustainable skills;
• strengthen their economic and social empowerment.

3. Project Activities

Through the scholarship program, beneficiaries will have access to:

• diploma programs in management or accounting;
• vocational training in trades such as electricity, painting, decoration, and other technical skills.

The project is currently in the identification phase of trainers and beneficiaries.
Implementation of activities is scheduled to begin in November 2025.

4. Expected Results

• Increased access to education and vocational training for vulnerable girls;
• Reduced risks related to school dropout, early marriage, and social exclusion;
• Improved access to stable employment or income-generating activities;
• Enhanced capacity of young women to support themselves and contribute to their families and communities.

5. Project Budget

• Total estimated budget: USD 8,000
• Funds raised to date: USD 0

Although no funds have yet been collected, we remain confident. Our partnership with GlobalGiving provides a strong opportunity to reach the fundraising target and ensure successful project implementation.

6. Partnership and Credibility

The partnership with GlobalGiving strengthens the transparency, visibility, and credibility of our initiative. It allows us to connect with a global network of committed donors who believe that girls’ education is one of the most powerful drivers of sustainable and inclusive development.

7. Call to Donors

We sincerely call upon individuals, organizations, foundations, and partners of goodwill:
your support can change a life.
By contributing to this project, you give a young girl the opportunity to reclaim her future, develop her skills, and break free from extreme poverty.

Every donation, regardless of size, helps build a safer and more hopeful future for girls in the DRC.

8. Acknowledgments

We express our deep gratitude to all donors, partners, and supporters who believe in this cause.
Thank you to those who have already shown their support, and sincere thanks in advance to everyone who will join this effort.
Together, through education, we can transform lives and create a better future for girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Location:
Rural areas of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Context:
Girls in rural areas of the DRC face numerous barriers to accessing education, including extreme poverty, long distances to school, gender-based discrimination, early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, and sexual violence. The school enrollment rate for girls is extremely low: only 38% in rural areas compared to 11% in urban areas.

In 2023, approximately 74.6% of the Congolese population lived on less than $2.15 per day, making education costs unaffordable for many families.

Project Objective:
To implement a scholarship program enabling girls from underprivileged communities to access secondary education, higher education, or vocational training (e.g., management, accounting, electrical work, painting, or interior decorating).

Expected Impact:

• Increased access to education for vulnerable girls
• Development of practical vocational skills
• Reduction of poverty-related risks (early marriage, violence, economic dependency)
• Empowerment of girls and accumulated contributions to their communities

Project Budget:

• Total needed: $8,000
• Amount raised so far: $0
• Fundraising platform: GlobalGiving
• Goal: Reach full funding target through donor support on the platform

Call to Action:
Every donation helps transform the life of a young girl in the DRC. By funding her education, you empower her to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future for herself and those around her.