Two brothers gain protection and hope thanks to a foster family in Musenyi.

In Musenyi II, two brothers of Congolese origin, *Dieudonné (16 years old) and *Moïse (13 years old), are today rediscovering a semblance of stability after months of uncertainty and wandering. Their journey, marked by family separation, flight, and insecurity, took a new turn thanks to UNICEF's support and the financial backing of the National Fund for Reparation of Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Victims of Crimes Against Humanity (FONAREV).

Before the conflict broke out in South Kivu, the two children's lives were already fragile due to family tensions. Their mother, a victim of domestic violence, had left home to seek refuge with neighbors. When war reached their village of Ruvungi, the two boys fled alone in January 2025, with no one to guide them. Tired, disoriented but determined to survive, it took them several weeks to reach the Burundian-Congolese border.

Crossing the Rusizi River was one of the most perilous stages of their journey. With no money to pay the smugglers, they waited, hesitated, and finally found help from a stranger who enabled them to cross the river safely. After days of walking and uncertainty, they were received at the Cishemere transit camp, where they remained until October 2025. There, hunger, limited access to clothing, and the absence of family support marked their daily lives.

On October 22, 2025, Dieudonné and Moïse were moved to the Musenyi site. That day, something unexpected happened that changed their lives: in the middle of the convoy, a woman from their area, Mrs. Nyota Marie, recognized them. Knowing their story and the precarious situation in which their mother was living, she made a difficult but deeply human decision: to take them into her home, alongside her husband and their two daughters, aged 8 and 4.

The reunited family now has six members. Despite her generosity, Nyota Marie did not have all the information she needed to refer the children to the services available to refugees. The boys regularly went to food distributions, but because they were not registered, they received nothing. 

Given this situation, the two brothers reached out to Save the Children. A case manager then helped them with all the paperwork, formalized their placement in foster care, and arranged for them to access all available services.

Since then, they have been receiving humanitarian aid for refugees and have been able to return to school, actively supported by their host family and humanitarian workers.

Today, Dieudonné and Moïse live in an environment where they once again feel protected, cared for, and supported. Returning to school marks a turning point for them: the return of hope.

Dieudonné shares: “I am happy to have found a family thanks to my host family. Before that, I thought my life was worthless”.

For Mrs. Nyota Marie, the challenge was incredible at the beginning: "At first, I didn't think I could handle the responsibility on my own." Today, I am confident and grateful for the support provided by UNICEF, in collaboration with Save the Children. I would like to have funds to start a business so that I can sustainably meet the children's needs once the project is over”.

The story of Dieudonné and Moïse highlights the courage of children affected by conflict, but also the strength of host communities willing to open their doors and hearts. Finally, it illustrates the tangible impact of programs funded by FONAREV: providing sustainable protection, preventing the risk of exploitation, and giving every child the chance to believe in a better future.

*For reasons of confidentiality and protection, real names have been replaced with pseudonyms.