What is CAMME?

CAMME’s Mission

“To help the youth of Congo live a future free of exploitation, maximize their potential, and help themselves.”

CAMME’s founders began with a belief that in the midst of war, poverty, and disaster, hope endures.  When given the right tools, even in the most impossible circumstances, children can succeed.  Through our work, we provide this hope.

Beginning as a refuge for children in need, today CAMME has developed two principal tracks; a formal education model through Youth Inspirations Academy, and CAMME’s original approach of vocational and entrepreneurial training for vulnerable children.

In both tracks, our work is based on six key components, all with a common goal- children at CAMME achieve their true potential, educationally, professionally, and personally:

ADVOCACY – for the rights of vulnerable children in Goma and throughout the DRC;

INNOVATION – in constantly developing new ideas for children to successfully support themselves, integrating technology, and creating new programs and services adapted to the Congolese context.

EDUCATION – to provide children the training they need to build their future, including formal education, employability and entrepreneurship, culture, civic participation, and beyond;

SELF SUFFICIENCY – for children to develop the tools and skills they need to support themselves with food, shelter, and medical care;

PROTECTION – for the children in our programs from manipulation, violence, and a return to the streets or the battlefield;

REINTEGRATION – of children abandoned by or separated from their families, arranging visits where possible and appropriate, and serving as mediators where we can.