Who we are
Empowering women and children in Eastern DRC through education, sports, and support. Creating hope and lasting change.
Community Support Center (CSC-Asbl) is a grassroots non-profit in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), offering vital support to women and children affected by violence, discrimination and disasters. Through diverse programs including education, sports clubs (P4PM), entrepreneurship and mental health support, we empower individuals to thrive.
At the heart of our organization is a commitment to social justice, human rights, and inclusivity. We advocate for the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly women and children, and work tirelessly to create a more just, equitable and compassionate society.
Through our dedication, passion and unwavering commitment to our mission, we strive to be a beacon of hope and support for those facing adversity in the Eastern DRC. Together with our partners and supporters we aim to build a brighter future for our community and create lasting positive change.
History of CSC-Asbl
Community Support Center (CSC-Asbl) is situated in the heart of South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Founded in 2016 by Byolenganya Olo Bernoulli, CSC-Asbl is registered with charity number 112/SKV/6937 in South Kivu. Stemming from Olo’s personal journey of overcoming adversity, our organization is dedicated to providing support and resources to women and children affected by displacement and trauma in Eastern DRC.
Olo’s own experiences growing up in a small village in Mwenga Territory, enduring war, ethnic conflict, and illness, shaped his vision for CSC-Asbl. Inspired by his grandmother’s care during his own struggles, Olo founded CSC-Asbl with the mission to bring joy and hope to survivors of conflict and to empower them to become productive members of society. Our organization focuses on areas such as healing trauma through sports, youth education, child safeguarding policy, environmental management, skills education for women and Sexual and Reproductive Health.
At CSC-Asbl, we believe in empowering vulnerable women and children through a robust framework that fosters resilience and autonomy. Our approach centers around creating a safe space where individuals can freely share their experiences and actively engage in brainstorming and implementing solutions derived from their own insights and needs.
Our organization understands the priority to be given to child safeguarding and understands that all child safeguarding concerns should be reported immediately to the designated and trained child safeguarding person. It is never appropriate to wait and see or think about matters when a child may be at risk of serious harm.
How do we apply child safeguarding
We carry out risk assessment within the Community Support Center / CSC-Asbl, recognizing that it is vital to assess the potential risks to children of the organization’s operations, programmes and partners. This covers all activities implemented by CSC-Asbl, which may involve children, directly or indirectly.
Before implementing any project the following steps are taken:
- Identify who is at risk.
- Identify the factors that might put them at risk.
- Identify how they are at risk.
- Identify what is currently in place to reduce the risk.
- Calculate the level of risk (high, medium or low).
- Consider additional actions needed to reduce the level of risk.
At CSC-Asbl, promoting gender equality is essential for societal development and well-being. We believe in treating everyone with dignity, humanity, and solidarity, ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, to foster an inclusive and prosperous community.
Our Gender Equality Policy addresses the unique challenges faced by different genders, fostering a culture of respect, fairness, and equal opportunity within our organization and programs. As a nonprofit using sport for development and a member of the Equal Play Effect Africa Network, we leverage sport to drive social change and promote gender equality.
Objectives:
- Eliminate gender-based discrimination, harassment, or violence.
- Ensure equal opportunities and treatment for all genders.
- Empower marginalized groups, especially women and girls.
- Create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel valued and supported.
Gender equality empowers individuals, strengthens families, and promotes economic growth, reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, and fostering peace and stability
We are a team of empathetic and sympathetic people, committed to one goal, improving the life conditions of the most vulnerable women and children in Eastern DR Congo.
We are Healing Hearts and Building Futures, by giving joy and hope so that the most vulnerable can become productive members of society.