An alternative learning opportunity for displaced children

At the Bulengo displacement site near Goma, 12-year-old Joséphine dreams of a brighter future. "When I grow up, I will be a teacher, and I will teach math, French, history, and geography to children," she says with a hopeful smile.

For over six months, Joséphine has been attending three hours of radio school each day, an initiative that enables her to continue learning despite the challenges. Before arriving at the Bulengo site in February 2023, Joséphine lived in the village of Nyamitaba, where she was enrolled in the fourth grade.

The armed conflicts in the region forced her to flee with her family, leaving behind her school and friends. "Math was my favorite subject in school," she recalls nostalgically.

According to the Education Cluster, about 900,000 children aged 6 to 17 are out of school due to violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The North Kivu province, where Joséphine is, has been particularly affected, with nearly 1,000 primary schools closed in the first quarter of 2024.

Despite these obstacles, Joséphine has remained determined to continue her studies. "We used to go into the forest to collect firewood and sell it, but I preferred to study," she confides.

The radio education program, launched in January 2024 with the support of the Norwegian Government, has enabled Joséphine and more than 9,400 displaced children to resume their learning.

By participating in listening clubs organized at displacement sites, these children continue to learn and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue their education as soon as possible.

"I love teaching children because that’s how they will become useful to the community later on," explains Joseph Amini, a displaced teacher who supervises the children in the Bulengo listening club.

For Joséphine, these radio lessons are not just a way to pass the time; they represent a chance to build a future, to regain a sense of normalcy, and to keep hope alive for better days ahead.

Her mother, Lendrine, feels reassured knowing her children are safe while they study. "I want my children to study so that later they can freely choose their career path while being useful to our country and their family," she concludes.

This radio education program offers a promising future to children like Joséphine, enabling them to continue dreaming and preparing for a better future, despite the challenges they face.