CHERO – Centre d’Hébergement des Enfants de la Rue et Orphelins
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
2022
In Kinshasa, CHERO supports children and young people who are street-connected or in vulnerable situations. The project aims to offer them support tailored to their situation and to prepare them for the future through schooling, family reintegration and support towards independent living.
CHERO operates as part of the ETM programme in Kinshasa, which aims to achieve lasting improvements in the resilience, protection and care of street-connected and vulnerable children. Social and family reintegration or socio-economic reintegration is central to this support.
Objectives
CHERO provides accommodation and support for children and young people who are street-connected or in vulnerable situations.
Particular emphasis is placed on education. The children supported can start or return to school, while other young people benefit from training that enables them to acquire skills that will be useful in the future.
CHERO also works on the family reintegration of children where this is possible and supports some young people towards independent living. For young people who have completed training, this support can lead to paid employment or to setting up their own business.
Activities
In 2025, 56 children were accommodated and supported by CHERO, including 29 girls and 27 boys. Of these, 37 children were enrolled or re-enrolled in school, with a reported pass rate of 73%.
During the year, 14 children were reintegrated into their families and 19 young people were supported towards independent living.
Beyond the children accommodated at the centre, CHERO’s educational and training activities reach a wider group. In 2025, 321 children and young people received schooling or training: 281 at school and 40 in vocational training. In addition, 10 young people who had completed their training found paid employment or set up their own business.