UN Volunteer Denis Yameogo supports UNICEFs child protection work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by giving communities the capacity to address child protection issues.
This requires working directly with communities and mobilizing volunteers to promote protection and well-being for children. Under the responsibility of UNICEF provincial office, community volunteers help build the so called protected communities that promote child protection at the local level and protect children from violence, abuse and disease.
By bringing national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) into this process, such as to help communities establish local coordination committees, Denis assists in uniting all efforts that aim at caring for children, including the most vulnerable. In 2010, thanks to the committees, more than 200,000 vulnerable children could be identified and 88,000 (including 26,000 girls) sent to primary school.
From an early age, Denis knew why education matters in peoples lives. Besides education, his volunteer experience is what makes his life even more valuable.
Having fairly escaped illiteracy myself, I felt it was a must for me to help others. When I think about this great chance I had, it makes me shiver. As a matter of fact, for the last ten years, I have now been working in international organizations that feature education as one of their main objectives, stresses Denis.