KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / MENA Newswire / – KSQF and UNICEF have announced a partnership to help remove children from informal mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and restore access to education. The project focuses on Kambove Health Zone in Haut Katanga province. It will support more than 200 children and 100 households through child protection, schooling, skills training and family support.
The initiative was announced before World Day Against Child Labour, marked on June 12. It targets mining communities where children face unsafe work and missed classroom time. The programme links child removal from mines with education access, vocational pathways and household assistance. It also aims to strengthen local protection systems involving schools, social workers and community institutions.
Child labour remains a serious concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s mining areas. The 2023-2024 Demographic and Health Survey found that 11% of children aged 5 to 17 worked in dangerous conditions. It also found that 18% of children had excessive economic activity, excessive household chores or dangerous work. Carrying heavy loads was the most common danger reported.
Mining communities face education barriers
The Kambove programme will provide direct support to children leaving informal mine work. It includes school reintegration for children who can return to class. It also includes vocational options for older children. Families will receive help designed to reduce reliance on income earned by children in mines. The plan includes monthly cash transfers to 100 households.
The project also includes financial literacy training and support for cooperative-led income activities. These measures focus on household needs linked to child labour. Teachers, social workers and local institutions will receive capacity support. Community awareness activities will address the dangers of child labour in mining areas. Youth advocates, including child reporters, will also support outreach.
Children move from mines to classrooms
The programme builds on UNICEF’s TPS+ model, first piloted in 2023. The model identifies vulnerable children, connects them with social services and supports their families. In 2024, the approach removed 1,015 children from mines. Of those children, 599 returned to school and 416 entered vocational programmes. The reported results said none returned to mining.
KSQF said the partnership supports child welfare by combining education, protection and family assistance. UNICEF said the work will help consolidate solutions that move children from mines to classrooms and training. The project places child protection, schooling and household support within one programme. Its stated focus remains clear: reduce child labour in Democratic Republic of the Congo mines and restore learning opportunities.