Democratic Republic of the Congo

JRS Programs in DRC

Two decades of conflict and instability have left the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a weakened infrastructure and poor social services. Armed groups continue to roam eastern DRC, fuelled by issues of identity, poverty, land conflict, and corrupt governance. Currently, there are 5.6 million Congolese that are internally displaced in the DRC, living in a mix of official and unofficial camps.

JRS DRC supports the national primary and secondary education of the North and South Kivu provinces by assisting with school fees, teacher training, and raising awareness about the importance of education and inclusive education. JRS also provides formal and informal education for IDPs in camps surrounding Goma, Masisi and Mweso.

In addition to educational services, JRS DRC offers livelihoods training, emergency aid, and extracurricular activities such as sports and traditional dance to help children from both host and camp communities interact peacefully and find common ground. Due to an increase in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), JRS has also implemented new projects to support survivors with income generating activities, focused psychological support, and community training.

See Our Work

Adult students learn to write at the Formation Center in Lubushere Camp outside of Masisi. (Jesuit Refugee Service)
A student participates in math class at a school in Goma built and supported by JRS. (Don Doll, SJ)
A JRS teacher training class for Math instructors in Mweso, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Don Doll, SJ)
Fr. Tom Smolich, International director of Jesuit Refugee Service celebrates mass with Fr. Cyprien, and & local pastor in Mweso. (Don Doll, SJ)
Sr Regina MISSANGAFr. visits with Cecilia who JRS help with her shelter which cost about $29 in Kalinga camp. (Jesuit Refugee Service)

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