Street Child United and Premier League football club Everton’s charity have linked up Democratic Republic of Congo based bank Rawbank for a four-year partnership that includes using football to teach children life skills and their rights.

Also involved in the initiative is locally based NGOs BUMI and Malaika, who will work with young people in Lubumbashi, the second largest city in DR Congo.

Through the link up football coaches will be training to champion child rights.

Next year the partnership will focus on advocacy, media and fundraising and to prepare two teams from DR Congo to participate in Street Child’s World Cup, to take place in North America in 2026.

"We believe that every child has the right to play and thrive, regardless of their background or economic situation,” said Rawbank chief executive Mustafa Rawji.

“This program will have a positive impact on the lives of Congolese children and their communities."

Street Child chief executive John Wroe added: "This collaboration will not only positively impact the lives of young people from our NGO partner organisations, BUMI and Malaika, but it will also enable two teams, a girls’ team and a boys’ team, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to join us at the Street Child World Cup 2026 in the United States.

“These young people will now have the opportunity to represent their country at a football World Cup, on a global stage.

“Together, we are not just teaching child rights—we are empowering these children to demand a better future and showing the world the strength and resilience of street-connected children everywhere."

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