Empowering tomorrow's change-makers. Together with children, young people, and their communities.


Make a one-time donation Join our family

Empowering tomorrow's change-makers. Together with children, young people, and their communities.


Make a one-time donation Join our family

Empowering tomorrow's change-makers. Together with children, young people, and their communities.


We invest in children. For today and for the future.

4Watoto offers vulnerable children in Eastern Congo a safe home, education, and perspective. Not temporarily. Not remotely. But every day, together with the local community.

View our projects Read our story Join the family

We invest in children. For today and for the future.

4Watoto offers vulnerable children in Eastern Congo a safe home, education, and perspective. Not temporarily. Not remotely. But every day, together with the local community.

View our projects Read our story Join the family

We invest in children. For today and for the future.

4Watoto offers vulnerable children in Eastern Congo a safe home, education, and perspective. Not temporarily. Not remotely. But every day, together with the local community.


WHAT DOES 4WATOTO DO?

WHAT DOES 4WATOTO DO?

  • Family home – 4WatotoHouse

    A family home in Goma where 23 children live who grew up without a stable home situation

    .

    We invest long-term in their well-being, education and personal development.


    Impact so far:

    • 23 children live in a safe and stable home
    • 4 young people already live independently in Kigali and are preparing for further study and work
    • 100% of the children attend structured education
    • Individual growth: Children develop socially, emotionally and academically
    • Young people now speak English, French and Kiswahili
    • Focus on life skills, responsibility and independence
    Learn more about The 4WatotoHouse
  • Talent Center – education & development

    The 4Watoto Talent Center offers practical training programs for young people aged 15–25 in Goma. The program complements regular education and focuses on skills that are often lacking but essential for employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership.


    Every year we reach 300 young people who develop their digital skills, English, entrepreneurship, mindset and creative expression.


    The Talent Center works with a conscious mix of 50% vulnerable young people (sponsored) and 50% paying participants, which promotes inclusion and ensures sustainable impact.


    In this way, we provide young people not only with knowledge, but above all with skills, self-confidence and perspectives on their future.

  • Community work - from emergency aid to dance workshops

    Our work is multifaceted and adapts to needs: from acute emergency aid in crisis situations to building long-term opportunities through education, creativity, and talent development.

    Our community impact so far:

    • Emergency aid in times of crisis (water, food, clothing, and medical care) for 10,000 people.
    • Annual community activities and conferences for 300 children.
    • 18 dance, art, and music workshops in neighborhoods, on the streets, and in ghettos.
    • Annual internship programs and talent development for 15 children.
    • Support for widows and families through financial aid.
    • Contributions to medical operations, weddings, and local sports tournaments.

    In this way we strengthen local initiatives and truly stand by the people and their needs.

    Learn more about community work
  • Virunga Primary School - Accelerated education as a bridge back to school

    Accelerated education as a bridge back to school


    4Watoto's catch-up primary school offers 60 vulnerable children in Goma a second chance at education. For children who never attended school or have been absent for extended periods, we create a safe learning environment where they can still learn to read, write, and do math.


    In small groups and with personalized guidance, children work towards returning to the regular education system within one to two years. Besides education, there is a strong focus on self-confidence, social-emotional development, and the joy of learning.


    In this way we break through structural exclusion and build new future opportunities together.

    Read more about our catch-up primary school

Our values:

  • Community power

    Sustainable change happens together. That's why 4Watoto works closely with families, local partners, and communities. We don't just empower individual children; we help create an environment where everyone can thrive.

  • Responsibility & transparency

    We handle trust, resources, and relationships with care. Open communication, clear accountability, and visible impact are central to everything we do.

  • Long-term investment

    We don't believe in temporary fixes. 4Watoto invests long-term in children and young people – from safe shelter to education and independence, so they can shape their own future.

 

WHAT CAN I DO?

 

Become a donor!

The 4Watoto Foundation needs your help!

Join us, without obligation, to support children in DR Congo with a monthly contribution of your choice.

→ I become a FriendOf4Watoto (committed donor)
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