Christelle Ige LASHA

[World Vision DRC @World_VisionRdc]

As the DR #Congo national team returns to the @FIFA World Cup 2026, after an incredible 52-year absence and prepares to face #England today, this moment means far more than football.
For countless children across the Democratic Republic of the #Congo, especially those living through the de.vastating effects of conflict in the east, the #Leopards represent hope.
These children don't just watch football; they play it. They dream of following in the footsteps of stars like Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba, Mbuku, .... Their success reminds them that determination, resilience, and hard work can overcome even the toughest circumstances.
In World Vision's Child-Friendly Spaces, financially supported by the @Team_USA23 , football has become much more than a game. "It helps children recover from trauma, manage stress, rebuild friendships, and regain confidence. It gives them a safe space to express themselves, dream about their future, and believe they, too, can one day serve their nation", says Khangezani Moyo, COP of Walip Pro at @WorldVisionrdc DRC
As the Leopards take to the pitch today, they are carrying the hopes of millions, including children whose greatest victory is finding the courage to dream again.

#WorldCup2026 #FIFA #DRC #Leopards #ChildProtection #FootballForHope #MentalHealth #Children #SportsForDevelopment
@WorldVisionUK @WorldVisionUSA @worldvisioncan

[World Vision DRC @World_VisionRdc]

At 38, Rosette is a mother of seven and embodies the resilience of women in the eastern Democratic Republic of the #Congo.
Thanks to support from the project ‘Emergency Response to #WASH, #Protection and #Livelihood Needs of #IDPs and Host Communities in North #Kivu Province’, she received a reintegration kit consisting of traditional cloths from World Vision, funded by the @StateDept
This support, seemingly simple, marked a real turning point in her life. Rosette was able to launch an income-generating activity that now enables her to: feed her family, send her children to school, and provide for their basic needs with dignity.
Her story illustrates a stark reality: tailored support can bring about lasting change in the lives of the most vulnerable families. In eastern #DRC, where thousands of households remain destitute due to recurring armed conflict, these initiatives represent far more than one-off aid: they restore hope, autonomy, and dignity.