DR Congo: Immaculée, Kabila, and Jospin – Young Displaced People Pursuing Their Dreams In Goma Despite Adversity
By Rodrigue Harakandi, Communications Officer
In a region marked by conflict and forced displacement, stories of resilience and hope are emerging, told by young people determined to build a better future. Immaculée, Kabila and Jospin, three teenagers from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, share a similar journey: they fled the war, lost their family ties, but found a glimmer of hope thanks to a mechanics training programme supported by World Vision and Cœur Sans Frontières.
Immaculée: A young woman determined to break down barriers
Immaculée, 18, is the embodiment of strength and determination. After being forced to leave her camp for displaced persons following the arrival of the M23 armed group in Goma, she was faced with uncertainty.
‘We demolished our shelters, but afterward we didn’t know where to go’, she recounts.
Despite this precarious situation, Immaculée made a courageous decision to stay in Goma to pursue her dream of becoming a mechanic.
‘In the village, I don’t have this opportunity to learn mechanics’, she explains. With the support of her aunt, who took her in, Immaculée joined a SOTRAKI garage as a trainee, another step towards independence. Her story is a poignant testament to the resilience of young women who refuse to let circumstances define their future.
Kabila: A young man in search of his family and himself
At 17, Kabila carries a heavy burden: that of having lost his family in the chaos of war.
‘I don't have any family here and I don't know where my parents have gone,’ he says, his voice full of emotion.
After fleeing his village and wandering as far as the Rusayo camp, Kabila had to leave his refuge again when the fighting reached Goma.
Homeless, he found refuge in a church in the Ndosho neighbourhood, where a pastor offered him a roof over his head. Despite this unstable life, Kabila remains determined to continue his training as a mechanic, initiated by World Vision and Cœur Sans Frontières.
‘It's my only hope of being called someone in the future,’ he declares with conviction.
Jospin: A future to build, despite everything
Jospin, 18, was also forced to flee the war with his two younger brothers and has had no news of the rest of his family for two years. After leaving the IDP camp, he and his two younger brothers Guelord (14) and Shadrack (10) found refuge with an aunt in Goma. For Jospin, going back is not an option. ‘I'm very committed to my future as a mechanic,’ he says. He sees this training as a unique opportunity to build a stable life and provide for his family.
Like Immaculée and Kabila, Jospin expresses his gratitude to World Vision for the ongoing support he receives, even after the programme ends.
‘I thank God for life and I thank World Vision for this great attention,’ he says, grateful for the opportunity he has been given.
A message of hope and resilience
The stories of Immaculée, Kabila, and Jospin are a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of young displaced people in eastern DRC. Despite their ordeals, these three teenagers have chosen to fight for their dreams, refusing to let war and displacement define their destiny.
Their journey also highlights the crucial importance of support and training programmes for vulnerable young people. Thanks to the support of World Vision and its partner CœurSans Frontières, these young people have found a glimmer of hope and an opportunity to build a better future for themselves. Their determination is a reminder that, even in the most difficult circumstances, hope and perseverance can pave the way to a better future.