Mar 07, 2016 Congolese activist Noushka Teixeira, in a bid to help undo years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, recently opened an orphanage and educational center for young girls living in the streets of the country capital.
The 34-year-old was born in the DRC, but was forced to leave as a child because of war. Her war experience eventually inspired her to open the Matumaini Orphanage and Literacy Centre.
Home to over 30 girls between the ages of four and fifteen-years old, the center educates and helps street children reintegrate back into society.
Speaking on her decision to start the center, Noushka said:
“When I returned to Kinshasa 12 years ago, I noticed that there was a large number of children in the streets of Kinshasa, especially young girls. I thought that it must be difficult for young street boys, but I can’t even imagine how it is for young girls. When I started seeing young 10 and 12-year-old girls getting pregnant, I told myself that we need to do improve things. We really to educate them, we need to guide them. While touring the different orphanages in Kinshasa, I realised that the case of young homeless girls was not being taken seriously, so I decided to do something about it,”