Promoting the education of orphans in the DRC

Who are we

The Great Lakes Region Consortium is a union of 11 local non-profit organizations working in solidarity to support vulnerable victims of armed conflict and natural disasters. These organizations have taken the initiative to collaborate to contribute to the socio-economic recovery and self-reliance of vulnerable groups, including orphaned children and women survivors of sexual violence, widows, people with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, and flood victims.

The African Great Lakes Region Consortium “COPGLA” was created in Uvira in 2022 following a General Assembly of member non-governmental organizations.. 

Our mission is to contribute to the rebuilding of broken hearts and lives of victims of armed conflict in the African Great Lakes region by giving them hope to become themselves, capable of working to take care of themselves away from armed conflict and violence.

Our vision is to live in a peaceful and prosperous Africa. 

Our goal is to working in solidarity to support the vulnerable in the African Great Lakes Region (Burundi and DR Congo) .

The Consortium is registered with the Congolese Government as an NGO platform under No. JUST.112/DP-SKV/CA/8145/2024.

The Consortium's areas of intervention are: Peace and conflict resolution, Education, Health and Nutrition, Trauma healing, Youth promotion, Protection and Food security.

Location of activities: Great Lakes region of Africa (DR Congo and Burundi)

Period : 3 months (January, February and March 2026 ) .

Table of Contents:

1.  Current projects
2.  Security situation in the African Great Lakes region
3.  Finance
4.  Challenges
5.  Recommendations

1.  Activities

Project to support the education of vulnerable people

 The goal of this project is to enable vulnerable and orphaned children to access education so that they can take control of their future and create opportunities for themselves.

We support 134 children  in the the primary, secondary, and university levels by paying school fees and supervision of each student by supervisors in the Consortium's local member charities. Britain Yearly Meeting's Simmons Grant supports ten children.

GBV prevention project

We have supported Survivors of gender-based violence in the Fizi territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The objective of this activity is to contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and protection of survivors of gender-based violence , to ensure the socio-economic integration of victims , and to raise awareness among men about adopting positive masculinity. During this activity, we carried out the Community awareness campaigns against the stigmatization of survivors , transportation support to facilitate access to health facilities , referrals to appropriate medical services , and psychological support and accompaniment . It should be noted that 88 people were made aware of the dangers of sexual violence , and 7 women who were victims of sexual violence received psychological support and were then referred to the hospital for medical care.

1.  Security situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa :

 The city of Goma , Bukavu and several territories in eastern DRC were captured from the hands of M23 rebels. This is causing widespread panic among the local population. and affects the business and learning climate.

Although the return of peace remains tentative, the security situation in Uvira is gradually improving now that the rebels have left the city.  We have recorded deaths (civilians, cases of sexual violence) following the tension due to the armed conflict between the local armed groups known as WAZALENDO , the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo "FARDC" and the M23 rebels. Socio-economic activities are beginning to improve, the banks and the Congo-Burundi border are open.

1. Finance :

Source of funds : Friend Peace Team/AGLI, GlobalGiving, and a Britain Yearly Meeting/Simmons Grant   Total donations : 546,24 USD 

                                  Spent :

Projects 9 4.5 %

Administration and logistics            5.5 %

1.  Recommendations

Share this report with international organizations that share the same values and are likely to join the consortium.

Share the report with potential donors who might be attracted to our activities and support us.

Anyone interested in joining us, making a donation, or funding one of our projects can contact us at the following address : info@copgla.org     http://www.copgla.org/ 

Links:

• Consortium website link

• Education project report (PDF)
  

Who are we?

The African Great Lakes Consortium is a union of 11 local non-profit organizations working in solidarity to support vulnerable victims of armed conflict and natural disasters. These organizations have taken the initiative to collaborate to contribute to the socio-economic recovery and self-care of vulnerable groups, including orphaned children and women survivors of sexual violence, widows, the disabled, refugees, displaced persons, and flood victims.

 Created in Uvira in 2022 following a General Assembly of member non-governmental organizations, CONSORTIUM OF THE AFRICAN GREAT LAKES REGION “CORGLA”

Our mission is to contribute to the reconstruction of the broken hearts and lives of victims of armed conflicts in the African Great Lakes region by giving them hope to become themselves, capable of working to take care of themselves far from armed conflicts and violence.

Our vision is to live in a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

Our goal is towork in solidarity to support the vulnerable in the African Great Lakes Region (Burundi and DR Congo).

The Consortium's areas of intervention are: Peace and Conflict Resolution, Education, Health and Nutrition, Trauma Healing, Youth Promotion, Protection and Food Security.

Location of activities: African Great Lakes Region (DR Congo and Burundi)

Period: 4 months (September, October, November and December 2025).

Table of contents:

1. Education project
2. Security situation in the African Great Lakes Region
3. Finance
4. Recommendations

1. Project to support education for vulnerable people

We would like to thank GlobalGiving for the publicity that allows us to receive regular donations. For this fourth term, we have paid the school fees for the first term of 2025-2026 for 134 children in primary and secondary school thanks to your support.

Support for the administration

We supported our field teams with internet connection and supervision costs.

1. Security situation in the Great African Lake region :

The M23 rebels took the town of Uvira in December 2025. Several cases of violence, looting and deaths have been reported. Banks are closed and young people are being forced to join their army. Some members of our Consortium team have fled to Burundi. There is an economic and humanitarian crisis in Uvira, Burundi has closed its borders and the population continues to suffer.

1. Finance:

Source of funds: GlobalGiving and donation

 Total donations: 590.33 USD (See GlobalGiving Disbursement Manager)

         Spent :

       Projects                                           95%

       Administration and logistics            5%

1. Recommendations

Share this report with like-minded international organizations that may be interested in joining the consortium.

Share the report with potential donors who might be attracted by our activities and support us.

 Anyone who expresses an interest in supporting us, making a donation or funding one of our projects can contact us at the following addresses:   http://www.copgla.org/

                                                            Make a donation:http://goto.gg/67043

Links:

• Consortium website link

• Consortium fourth quarter report 2025/Ed project (PDF)