DR Congo: In Goma, Football Helps Displaced Children Dream Again

In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Kivu province, years of conflict and displacement have disrupted the lives of thousands of children. Many have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind familiar surroundings and facing uncertainty about their future.

To help children recover, learn, and thrive, World Vision, through the Emergency Response to WASH, Protection and Livelihood Needs of IDPs and Host Communities in North Kivu Province, with financial support from the Government of the U.S., has established Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) that provide safety, support, and opportunities for growth.

One of these spaces is located in Kanyaruchinya, on the outskirts of Goma, where nearly 900 children aged 2 to 17 participate in educational, recreational, and psychosocial activities every week.

“This Child-Friendly Space serves approximately 897 children and is supported by ten facilitators who work with them every day,” explains Moyo Kanghezani, Chief of Party of the WALIP Project. “Through learning activities, games, and recreation, children find a safe environment where they can relax, interact with their peers, and cope with the challenges they face.”

Among the activities offered, football has become one of the most powerful tools for helping children rebuild confidence and regain a sense of normalcy. 

This sport carries particular significance at a time when the Democratic Republic of the Congo is taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after 52 years away from the global stage. The country's qualification is seen as a source of inspiration and hope for children, enabling them to envision a brighter future and view their lives from a different perspective. Despite the many challenges and hardships that have shaped their journey and, at times, diverted their path, their future remains full of potential and promise.

At Kibati Stadium, children fill the field with energy and excitement. For many of them, football offers much more than physical activity it provides relief from the stress and fear that conflict has brought into their lives.

“When I play football, I forget all the stress I used to have,” says Ruphin, a 10-year-old. “We had to flee because of the war. When I play with other children, I feel much better.”

For Ruphin, the Child-Friendly Space is not only a place to play. It is a place where he is discovering his abilities and building hopes for the future.

“Thanks to this space, I am not only learning new things, I am also discovering my potential,” he says.

Inspired by Congolese football star Cédric Bakambu, Ruphin dreams of becoming a professional football player. Yet his ambitions go beyond personal success. One day, he hopes to create a child-friendly space of his own so that other children can benefit from the same opportunities he has received.

The same sense of hope can be seen in Kevine, a young girl who dreams of joining the DRC Women's National Football Team. Through sport, she sees a pathway to a brighter future and a chance to represent her country.

The recent qualification of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the FIFA World Cup has further fueled these aspirations.

“The national team's qualification inspired the children tremendously,” says Moyo Kanghezani. “When they step onto the football field, they are doing more than playing a game. They are imagining what their future could look like. They begin to see that they, too, can achieve their goals despite everything they have experienced.”

According to Kanghezani, football plays a critical role in helping children process difficult experiences, strengthen social connections, and rebuild self-confidence.

“Supporting Child-Friendly Spaces is about much more than organizing sports activities. It is about protecting children, helping them learn, restoring hope, and giving them opportunities to envision a positive future.” Add the chief of party

In a region where humanitarian needs remain immense, Child-Friendly Spaces continue to demonstrate the transformative impact of investing in children's protection and well-being. Every football match played at Kibati Stadium tells a story of resilience. Every smile reflects renewed hope. And every child who feels safe enough to dream again represents a powerful reminder of why sustained investment in child protection matters. For children affected by conflict, a football field can become much more than a place to play it can become the starting point for healing, growth, and a future filled with possibilities.