DR Congo: Birthday Bounce Back Celebrated as a Sign of Hope, Joy, and Community Commitment in Malambwe
By Tatiana Ballay – Communications Officer, World Vision
More than 1,200 children took part in the celebration of the Birthday Bounce Back (BBB), a festive event supported by World Vision USA’s support office. Organized to mark the second anniversary of the Malambwe Area Program, the initiative aimed to promote social inclusion and strengthen community cohesion around child protection.
The event took place at the Bel 2 school complex and brought together 800 sponsored children registered in the program, as well as 400 non-registered children, all gathered in a joyful atmosphere of celebration. Songs, dances, poems, skits, prayers, and games marked the day, which was dedicated to joy, hope, and unity.
The ceremony was chaired by John Kambole, Cluster Manager for Lubumbashi. It also drew strong community representation: local authorities, traditional leaders, religious figures, parents, and children, all united around the cause of vulnerable children.
Each child in attendance received a kit containing school supplies (six 96-page notebooks, a blue pen, a ruler, a black pencil, colored pencils), food items (a quarter bucket of rice, one-fifth bucket of sugar, a bottle of cooking oil), a toy, a bottle of soda, and a pack of biscuits.
Additionally, two primary schools, Malambwe and Mapuli, each received 20 classroom desks. Ten other schools were provided with handwashing kits and soap, as part of an effort to promote hygiene in schools.
In his speech, Kambole highlighted the main achievements from the program’s first two years, including the distribution of 40 school benches, support for cholera response efforts, and provision of essential food supplies such as rice, oil, and sugar.
He also announced the upcoming start of construction for new classrooms, latrines, and clean water boreholes.
According to John Kambole, Cluster Manager Lubumbashi at World Vision:
“This celebration reflects World Vision’s concrete commitment to children and communities. In two years, we’ve laid a solid foundation, and the upcoming investments will further strengthen access to education, water, and protection.”
The program also featured performances by reading clubs, demonstrations by children and facilitators, a choreography by the Kimbanguist group, a theatrical play, and an inspiring speech by a young girl presenting World Vision’s four main goals.
"Seeing children express themselves freely, celebrate together, and receive tangible support strengthens our belief that every action taken for their well-being has a real and lasting impact," said Fiston Mutombo, Child Well-being Development Facilitator at World Vision.
The BBB celebration in Malambwe was more than just an anniversary, it was a vibrant illustration of what collaboration, sponsorship, and community commitment can achieve. Thanks to the support of World Vision and its partners, hope continues to grow in the hearts of the children of Malambwe.