Youth & Sport
PROMOTING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
A critical part of the development of any country is engagement with young people, who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
In Kandale, we embrace that approach and have organized formal soccer tournaments for the Greater Kandale region since 2021. Initially, only boys participated, but in 2025, the first-ever tournament for girls was held with more than 500 girls taking part.
Nearly half the Congolese population is under age 14, and about six in 10 Congolese are under 25. It is common in developing countries for this “youth bulge” to migrate from rural areas to cities, where they are prone to unemployment or human trafficking.
Studies show that 80 percent of Congolese youth are underemployed, and about 1,700 unemployed young adults live in the area surrounding Kandale. We invest in the soccer program since it has proven to be an effective tool for bringing communities together and supporting the youth.
REVE KANDALE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR YOUTH
The first boys’ tournament in 2021brought together 20 teams from as far away as 50 kilometers. Close to 500 young people took part in the tournament in what was a rewarding sporting event and community-building exercise.
A second tournament for boys was held in 2023. In 2025, girls had their own tournament for the first time, and it proved to be a smashing success. For the first time, girls were seen as co-equals on the playing field.
Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and individual Congolese athletes have gained prominence playing for top teams in Europe.
Thanks to the support of our donors, REVE Kandale Foundation has been able to equip young people in and around Kandale with high quality soccer kits. Kick for Nick in Connecticut and Dwight Short, DLS Consulting, Inc. in Florida have generously provided us with over 300 soccer kits. This helps bring the community together as spectators and allows young people to do what they love to do most after school: Play Soccer!
PAST AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Soccer fans in Kandale
Distribution of Soccer Kits from our donors in the UK - 2013
New Soccer Kits from our donors in the UK - 2013
More Soccer Kits from our donors in the UK - 2013
In April 2018, Kandale youth walked 55 miles to Mukedi for the Mukedi-Kandale soccer game.
Kandale Women Game - November 2013
Mukedi-Kandale Game - April 2018
Donated soccer balls from our US donor Kick For Nick having an impact
Soccer kits from our UK donors: Kits4Cause and The Great Football Giveaway
Donated Soccer Balls by DLS and Congo Collaboration
Kandale Women Team during practice - 2017
