Kisangani, 17 May 2011 – A project to train school dropouts and homeless youths in bakery and soap making was inaugurated on 17 May 2011 in Kisangani, capital of the north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's Province Orientale.

The project, named "Project Rosaria", was built through funds from the Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and supervised by the Mission's Child Protection section.

"It all started with a bunch of street children, who spent their night right here in front of the cathedral," said Father François Atakami, one of the initiators of the project.
Seeing them in such condition, he said, moved us to form our association, 'Espoir et COPAGE' and to set up the Rosaria Project as an apprenticeship and psychosocial support programme for the homeless and school dropouts".

An official from MONUSCO said by taking part in such a project, the UN Mission is actually contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty and violence, and giving these youths a sense of hope and belonging.

The project is currently housed at the Catholic Parish in Kisangani.

Codjo Houegniglo/ MONUSCO