DR Congo: Youth Reconciliation Through Vocational Training, A Successful Initiative by World Vision

By Didier Nagifi, Communications Officer

At 25 years old, David lives in Maluku, a district in the city-province of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. He openly recounts a past once shaped by violence and delinquency.

“I was living my life without realising that everything I was doing was slowly destroying me,” he admits.

In his neighbourhood, David was far from unknown. He led a gang, heading a group of youths notorious for organising violent clashes with rival gangs in Maluku.

 “We were feared. We used to snatch people’s belongings; we never forgave anyone. Revenge was part of our daily life. For us, it was normal.”

In response to this surge in youth violence, World Vision launched the Youth Ready approach, aimed at offering marginalised young people opportunities for personal and professional transformation.

Martin Mukenge, Education Specialist at World Vision, explains: 

“The Youth Ready programme is much more than just a training course. It’s a journey of personal and professional transformation. It helps young people reconnect with their sense of dignity, define a life plan, and above all, believe in themselves. We don’t hand them ready-made solutions, we help them become the solutions their communities need.”

David and his group were approached by one of the Youth Ready mentors, a World Vision partner. Initially suspicious, they eventually accepted the invitation to attend a training session.
“It was the module on the ‘viability journey’ that had the biggest impact on me. I was stubborn; I wouldn’t listen to anyone. That lesson struck me deeply. That day, my team and I decided to leave our old habits behind and put what we learned into practice.”

Following this initial phase, the young participants were guided into professional training tracks. David chose to train in driving and metal fitting. At the end of his training, World Vision provided him with a reintegration kit containing all the necessary tools to start his own business.

Today, David owns his workshop where he fabricates metal doors, wheelbarrows, and provides welding services. He also works as a forklift driver at a local brewery, earning 230,000 Congolese francs, in addition to the 300,000 francs he makes each month through his workshop. 

But beyond income, it’s his entire life that has changed.

“World Vision transformed my life. Today, I have a profession. I’m the father of a 10-month-old child – something I never thought would be possible.”

According to Faustin Kisanzala, Child Well-Being Facilitator, the programme’s impact goes far beyond individual success stories:

“Since World Vision began supporting young people through the Youth Ready approach, 290 youths have been enrolled. They’ve been guided into various fields such as tailoring, masonry, mechanics, driving school, beauty care, carpentry, and metal fitting. For many of them, this has been a life-changing turning point. We’re seeing real change, a visible transformation in their mindset and behaviour.”

David is living proof. Once caught in a spiral of violence, he is now a man reconciled with his past, himself, and his community.

“We used to fight with machetes. Thanks to World Vision, we’ve traded our weapons for work tools. There’s peace among us now. We’ve learned trades that no one can ever take away from us.”

He concludes with emotion:

“Thank you to World Vision for saving the lives of so many desperate young people who are now useful members of society.”