AUGUST 2020 - AUGUST 2025 | IMPLEMENTER: FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL 360 (FHI 360) / INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE (IRC) | PLANNED BUDGET: $38,000,000
Elimu Ni Jibu ya USAID supports the learning needs of children and youth living in crisis and conflict-affected communities of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and additional provinces that are currently being added.
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces complex humanitarian and development challenges. More than two decades of conflict in the Eastern Congo, the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted access to education and the quality of instruction. Adolescent girls in conflict settings are especially at risk of sexual and gender-based violence, which often leads to drop-out and further vulnerability. To address these challenges the Education is the Response activity increases children’s access to education, creates safer learning environments, and improves the quality of teaching and learning in schools.
STRATEGIC APPROACHES
Elimu ni Jibu ya USAID takes a gender equitable and socially inclusive approach to address children and youth’s interconnected needs for academic and social-emotional skills, safe and supportive relationships, stable routines, and a responsive community. Our crisis responsive education services ensure teachers and education stakeholders are able to support education during current and future emergencies. This project builds the resilience of Congolese children and youth and supports local organizations focused on child protection and education.
RESULTS
The project will reach more than 200,000 children and youth, along with 6,000 teachers.
Elimu ni Jibu ya USAID uses primary and secondary humanitarian data to define zones as at risk, mixed, or stable. Within these zones, the project delivers tailored and responsive formal and non-formal education services, as well as child protection and economic development activities that support safe access to learning.
FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE LEARNING AND WELL-BEING INTERVENTIONS
At-Risk Zones: Short term, acute response (3–6 months) –
Conflict closes schools or children cannot attend.
- Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI)
- Home and community tutoring
- Teacher professional development delivered remotely
Mixed Zones: Medium-term, transition response (9–12 months) –
Children and Youth are temporarily out of schools due to displacement or conflict/crisis conditions.
- Basic literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for children and caregivers
- Life skills and psychosocial support for adolescents
- Teacher professional development through school directors
Stable Zones: Long-term, sustainable response (2 years) –
Displaced Children and Youth have missed a year or more of school, students in formal schools may need academic and SEL support.
- GLOW camps to promote positive youth development and gender equity
- Accelerated basic education for out-of-school children
- After-school tutoring
- Basic literacy and numeracy alongside vocation training for adolescents
- School-based teacher professional development
