4Watoto ambition
4Watoto Ambitionļ»æ
We inspire, involve and facilitate people in an infectious way to do concrete things for each other and the world. Both in DR Congo and the Netherlands.
4Watoto Ambitionļ»æ

We do everything we can to ensure that children can really be children, can develop into self-confident, unique young people and are able to grow into independent people at their own pace.


We empower Congolese children and communities to become change-makers, building a stronger, more hopeful DR Congo.

Mission

Creating environments of empowerment for children and youth in the Kivu region (DR Congo), so that they can reach their full potential. We want to support Congolese children and youth with opportunities in the areas of care, housing, education, business development and employment.

Vision

 

At 4Watoto, we envision DR Congo as a vibrant and thriving country. We believe that DR Congo can be lifted to a higher level through the empowerment of its children and youth. DR Congo has one of the youngest populations in the world. The empowerment of youth paves the way for sustainable peace, with happier and more self-sufficient people, a resilient economy, higher living standards and strengthened communities. When children and youth reach their full potential, they will be empowered to serve as role models for their fellow man and influence them in a positive way. This influence will reach far beyond the 4Watoto foundation itself.

 

Our role is to create stimulating environments that stand on three key foundations:

 

1. A safe space to grow up in

 

2. Tools to develop yourself and create skills

 

3. Opportunities to convert skills into value

 

All this so that children can really be children, develop into self-confident, unique young people and are able to grow at their own pace into happy, self-confident and independent people.

 

After this, the only thing left for us at 4Watoto to do is to let them know that they can always fall back on the safe community they came from.

 


 

 

Problem statement

 

 

In DR Congo, children's rights are violated. Child labor occurs; children work in prostitution, mining, as soldiers or as 'ordinary' street vendors. In addition, children live on the streets in various cities, the current social safety net for orphans is not strong enough and there is no adequate reintegration plan for families. Due to instability and scarcity, there are few development opportunities for the majority of Congolese children and young people; they cannot enjoy a carefree childhood, do not or hardly go to school, then do not find work and live in miserable conditions. Without opportunities, they remain stuck in a cycle of poverty and dependency. These individual obstacles for the youth ensure that communities, and ultimately the entire region, remain stuck in the same cycle.

 

 

Philosophy

 

4Watoto supports the recovery and building of communities in DR Congo by creating enabling environments for children and youth. We focus on the science of critical mass. We quote, “a sufficient number of adopters of a new idea, technology or innovation in a social system, such that the rate of adoption is self-sustaining and creates further growth.” In our case, when the number of young people in DR Congo (striving to reach their full potential and genuinely wanting and being able to help the country) reaches a certain benchmark, this will then carry and inspire an entire generation and generations to come in this mindset, execution and vision.


We embrace sustainable solutions, circular thinking and tackling the cause of the problem instead of symptoms. We are very aware that this is all about an ethically complex situation as the initiators do not all have the same cultural background. We act together as team DR Congo and team Netherlands from unity, but there is a gross separation of responsibility. The 4Watoto Foundation wants to bring positivity into the world and the focus is on possibilities and a positive attitude towards the future, but we will not shy away from also highlighting the dark side of situations. We hope to accelerate the process of decolonization of the brain with this. This is necessary in both Africa and the Western world if we want to live together in a renewed and honest way and care for our world. 4Watoto is a multicultural organization that stands for the unity of man. 4Watoto believes that education can form a bridge between two worlds from which solidarity and equality flow


Core values

Unifying

“Tuko pamoja”, Swahili for “we are together”. 4Watoto wants to bring people together by radiating the principle that we are all human. Gender, background, religion, nationality and age have no bearing on this.


Conscious

Being aware of our position as an international foundation and the impact that flows from this. We convey that people must be aware of their impact and behavior, both towards other people and nature.


Passion

We inspire, involve and facilitate people in an infectious way to do concrete things for each other and the world.


Lovingly

Love is the power of the world and the core from which 4Watoto works. In dealing with children, donors, partners, employees and all other people we reach.


African

Positivity, celebration of life, motivated, combative and pure. There are so many underlying values, but one thing is certain, even though we operate internationally: 4Watoto works from the African culture.


Open-minded

4Watoto looks at the world with open eyes and wants to continuously improve its innovative approach by simply observing, learning and wondering.


Educational

Providing education in the worlds in which it is active; the Netherlands, DR Congo and the internet. By learning and educating we come closer together and grow together.


WHAT CAN I DO?

The 4Watoto Foundation needs your help!

Become a donor!

Help us structurally to help children in DR Congo for a fixed amount per month.

→ I become a FriendOf4Watoto
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