Joesph - Rejected by his Family

Joseph was just nine years old when his parents died of AIDS.

His extended family took him in but struggled to care for him. When a local pastor accused Joseph of bewitching his parents and causing their deaths, his family beat him and eventually pushed him out onto the streets.

Joseph slept at the market, scavenging for food, occasionally stealing and earning pennies by carrying bags. But the police always managed to find him. They accused him of witchcraft and beat him – on one occasion breaking two of his ribs.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusations of witchcraft directed at children are commonplace.  Thousands of children have suffered this indictment. The accused are taken to churches that carry out “purges” to cleanse them, or make them take products which stunt their growth. War Child’s Project Assistant Sebastian, who works at the Foyer Pere Monte centre, explains the reasoning behind the accusations:  “In general, where there is poverty in the family children will be victimised as witches.” Sebastian believes there is a link between the war, which broke out in 1998, and these accusations – many parents were killed and with the extended family either unable or unwilling to look after children left orphaned, young people were often unfairly blamed for their parents’ deaths.

There is a new constitution, which includes a provision forbidding accusations of witchcraft – anyone who makes such an accusation can now be prosecuted – because you cannot give any physical evidence that someone is a witch. But the policy is not enforced  and children are still being victimised. 

Joesph was eventually taken in by one of the centres for street children supported by War Child. He is now safe and the staff there – trained by War Child in family tracing and mediation – are trying to reunite him with his family. But it will take time; strongly-held beliefs have to be overcome in order to help this problem.