DR Congo: 2,400 Children Now Registered in the Civil Registry Thanks to the Action of World Vision

In Bukanga Lonzo, in Kwango Province, as part of the World Vision DRC Development Programme, a major celebration marked the official handover of 2,400 birth certificates to sponsored and non-sponsored children in the community. This action, made possible through World Vision’s advocacy efforts, has regularised the status of children who had never been registered in the civil registry.

The ceremony took place in the presence of political and administrative authorities, religious leaders, parents, and beneficiary children. Through the Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approach, this initiative responded to a critical need: ensuring that every child has a legal identity and equitable access to public services.

In his opening remarks, the Chief of Sector of Bukanga Lonzo, Mr Lambert, emphasised the importance of upholding the law:

“Law No. 09/001 of 10 January 2009 guarantees every child the right to be registered free of charge within 90 days of birth. Today, we are correcting a delay and restoring a fundamental right.”

For Mr Eddy Ambali, Cluster Manager of Kenge, the handover represents far more than an administrative formality:

“A birth certificate is the first legal recognition of a child’s existence. Thanks to this document, these 2,400 children will now be able to access school, healthcare, official examinations and, later in life, public services without discrimination.”

Meanwhile, Mr Robert, President of the Peace Court, expressed his deep satisfaction with the initiative:

“When a child exceeds the legal 90-day deadline, obtaining a birth certificate becomes difficult and the supplementary judgement is costly. Thanks to World Vision’s advocacy efforts, these children are finally able to access their rights without additional expense.”

Among the parents present, Albert, father of one beneficiary, shared his relief:

“Without World Vision, we would never have been able to obtain these birth certificates. The supplementary judgement is too expensive. Today, our children finally have an identity.”

Taking advantage of the occasion, World Vision also raised parents’ awareness about the importance of registering their children within 90 days, reminding them that a birth certificate is essential to guarantee the right to identity and access to basic social services.

The ceremony concluded in an atmosphere of joy and hope. Many parents said they had never imagined seeing the day when their children would receive this essential document.

This initiative was made possible through the Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approach, as well as through collaboration between World Vision, the local civil registry, community authorities and partners AJEUDEV (Youth Action for Development) and AJLMB (Association of Young People for the Fight Against Malnutrition in Bukanga Lonzo). Together, they enabled 2,400 children from the Bukanga Lonzo Development Programme to obtain a legal identity and a more secure future.