[1/5] Oze Makvala, 19, a homeless teenager who has slept rough on the streets for years, sings at the studio of Mokili Na Poche cultural centre, a Congolese arts refuge that helps street children, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo September 5, 2023.
"It really makes me happy when I sing," said 19-year-old Osé Mavakala, who has slept on the streets for years like more than 20,000 other homeless children in Kinshasa, according to U.N. agency UNICEF.
Other teens looked on with pride as Mavakala rapped intently into the microphone at a session in late August.
Founder Cedrick Tshimbalanga hopes these skills and the routine will help the children find their feet and their voices.
Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Makvala, Justin Makangara, Mavakala, Lil Wayne, Fally, Cedrick Tshimbalanga, Tshimbalanga, Alessandra Prentice, Aurora Ellis, Emelia
Organizations:
Democratic, REUTERS, Rights, UNICEF, Thomson
Locations:
Congolese, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rights KINSHASA