Project Back to School

Project Back to School was founded in 2016 by our current Director of Development, Stella Young, during her Junior year of High School. Originally started as her Community Outreach Project while attending a semester school geared towards environmental stewardship. Students were instructed to develop a program to benefit their community. Following in her dad’s footsteps, Young challenged the idea of what community means. Choosing to support her global community, Young set out to support 20 elementary and secondary students by raising money for their tuition, school supplies, and uniforms. Young ran the program with the help of her dad, and On the Ground board member Timothy Young, until her sophomore year of college. From that point on, OTG took on the program and officially launched Project Back to School.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, education is not a right and there are heavy costs associated with attendance. Each student must cover the cost of tuition, school supplies, and their uniform. For many families in the DRC, these costs are too high and many families have to prioritize one child over the rest. Many times, sons will have the opportunity to attend school and daughters are kept home to support the household. Since the founding of the program, On the Ground has supported over 500 students in their educational endeavors.

Access to education is incredibly important and in many cases saves the lives of these children. There is an ongoing civil war in the DRC. When kids are not in school, many times they end up being child soldiers. Swayed by the power, wages, and see it as an alternative to support their families.

This program is ongoing and there are always more students that can be supported! For a one time donation of $132 or $11 a month, you can sponsor a year of access to education. Your donation will cover all costs associated with attending school in the DRC!

Access to education changes the lives of these children and their families. You can change lives!