Building the most beautiful homes

In the town of Tshala in Lualaba, a province known for its mines that supply precious minerals to the world, a young man greets us at a house he’s building from the ground up. With a focused gaze and confident hands, Kalamba knows every corner of the home—every wall, room, and window—by heart.

“This is the living room... This is the hallway... This is a guest bedroom... This is a children’s room, and this is the parents’ room. This is the kitchen—we added an outside door so the person who is cooking can access it from outside without disturbing people in the living room,” he explains.

This house is more than just cement and bricks. It represents a fresh start for a teenager who once spent over three years working in an artisanal mine, washing minerals to earn a small living.

With masonry training and a tool kit provided through a UNICEF-supported programme, Kalamba has better and more dignified work. He’s now a skilled and respected professional in a trade that’s in high demand.

“I have built some of the nicest houses in Tshala. I’m only 19, and I can already build beautiful homes, and people really appreciate that.”

Kalamba’s story is one of many. Since 2022, UNICEF has helped almost 2,000 vulnerable children living in mining areas, particularly around artisanal mines in the provinces of Haut Katanga, Haut Lomami and Lualaba. Some have returned to school, while others have completed vocational training in sewing, beauty care, carpentry, welding, or IT.

Behind each of these life-changing journeys stands the commitment of women and men working behind the scenes: the community para-social workers. Twice a week, professionals like Maguy and Angelique visit mining sites in Tshala to raise awareness among families and children about the dangers of child labour.

“Hello mama, hello! I hope you’re well. I’m here to tell you that this child doesn’t belong in the mine. Their place is at school and at home,” says one of them.

Today, 410 para-social workers have been trained and accredited by the Division of Social Affairs (DIVAS) in Haut Katanga, Haut Lomami and Lualaba. Their role is to identify at-risk children, remove them from danger, and connect them with the right support.

Many of them know this world personally: some are former child miners, others are members of local mining committees. They are deeply rooted in their communities and serve as vital links between families and state social workers.

Their support doesn’t stop once children leave the mine. They offer long-term follow-up—helping children return to school, access training, reunite with families, and receive psychosocial care.

This community-based approach is at the heart of UNICEF’s efforts to end child labour in the mining sector. By working closely with families and local authorities, it strengthens child protection systems in lasting ways.

But child labour remains a pressing issue in mining provinces. According to the Third Demographic and Health Survey, 10 per cent of children in Lualaba and 8 per cent in Haut Katanga work in hazardous conditions, putting their health, futures and even their lives at risk.

Eliminating the worst forms of child labour also means helping governments manage mining revenues transparently and responsibly—so budgets serve children better. At the same time, UNICEF supports mining companies to focus on the most vulnerable, ensuring projects are fair, sustainable, and community driven.