MANAGEMENT

4Watoto is not a Dutch initiative; in Goma, DR Congo our work is led and supported by a strong local board. This team of dedicated Congolese leaders ensures that our projects are well aligned with the needs of the community and are implemented sustainably. Together with the Dutch board we support 4Watoto, with the focus in the Netherlands being more on fundraising and support.

Our Congolese leaders and team members have deep knowledge of the region, culture and challenges. They make the day-to-day decisions, guide the projects and ensure that 4Watoto in Goma continues to operate independently and with impact.

Who are the members of the board? See it here: Board 4Watoto.

PEDAGOGY

In addition to the 25 children, the 4WatotoHouse also always has three supervisors: Mama Gloria, Arsene and Albert. They provide a safe and familiar environment, with two supervisors sleeping with the boys and one with the girls.

Papa Ndaye, as a board member responsible for the daily management, leads the pedagogical team and supervises the weekly meetings with the children. During these conversations important topics are discussed, such as religion, sex education, hygiene and the ins and outs of the house.

In addition, there is room for personal conversations, which arise naturally. Each child finds his or her own confidant: some feel most comfortable with Issa, our security guard, others share their concerns more quickly with Mama Aline or Mama Chantal.

At 4Watoto, we are more than a team—we are a family. Our function or title is always secondary to our connection with the children. They are the focus, and we are by their side.

EDUCATION

Our children attend regular education in Congolese schools. Some follow a catch-up program for primary or secondary school, while others receive education at the Martin Luther King primary school.

In addition, 4Watoto offers extra guidance with a team of seven part-time teachers:

• Moise Martin – Homework assistance
• Faradja & Eveline – Art Lessons
• Moise Ramazani – Sports and dance lessons
• Sylvie – Sewing lessons for those interested
• Paul – English language lessons alongside French and Swahili
• Junior – ICT and computer skills

In addition, Happy, a successful entrepreneur with a similar background to the children, voluntarily provides Leadership Training on Saturday mornings.

Individual guidance is a core value within our pedagogical policy. We want to give every child the opportunity to discover and develop his or her unique talents. That is why the children do internships three times a year, so that they gain practical experience and can optimally prepare themselves for the future.

SURVEILLANCE

Day and night, 4WatotoHouse is guarded by Congo Solutions security guards. Issa and Gloire make sure the house and its residents are safe. The night shift is replaced by the day shift every morning at 8:00, so that there is always someone present.

In addition to their security duties, they keep daily reports and inform the board. They also keep in touch with local residents. But their role goes further than that—they are part of the 4Watoto family, play with the children and contribute to the warm and familiar atmosphere in the house.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

At 4Watoto, Mama Grâce and Mama Christella, our two dedicated cooks, ensure that the children receive three healthy meals every day.

For medical care we work together with Dr. Chibangu, a doctor at the General Hospital in Goma. He comes directly to emergencies and performs monthly medical check-ups to ensure the health of the children.

And then there's Guy, our indispensable force who washes all the clothes with great care and ensures that the house always remains clean and tidy.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D)



Our Research & Development (R&D) team plays a crucial role within 4Watoto. Led by Moise Martin, Papa Ndaye and Stan, this team researches and develops new projects and develops proposals to increase our impact.

They translate ideas from board and team meetings into concrete plans and ensure that every project is realistic, feasible and future-oriented. Thanks to their efforts, 4Watoto continues to grow and we work on sustainable solutions for the children and communities in DR Congo.