Kalehe is a territory plagued by a high concentration of rebel armed groups, ranking fourth in violent deaths in North and South Kivu, as per the Congo Study Group report. With the local community backing the cause against foreign militias, numerous young individuals, particularly adolescents out of school, have been recruited by these factions. These groups indoctrinate the youth in heinous acts such as rape, theft and murder, sometimes employing drugs to embolden them against enemies. Those who manage to escape and return home face the grim reality of community and familial ostracism, which can drive them back into the arms of militancy.
A report from Radio OKAPI on February 7, 2024, highlights the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program’s (PDDRCS) success in extracting 256 children from armed groups in various Kalehe localities within a five-day span. Yet, these children face a dire lack of opportunities upon their return. To address this, Let Africa Live’s Kalehe center is dedicating resources to facilitate their reintegration, offering family mediation, psychosocial support and vocational training to equip them with the necessary skills and healing for a constructive life post-conflict.