The African Great Lakes Consortium (COPGLA) is made up of eleven local non-profit organizations, including nine Quaker organizations and two non-Quaker organizations (one from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one from Burundi). Together, they work in solidarity to support the education of orphaned children, promote peace, assist refugees, and improve the socio-economic conditions of women who have survived sexual violence.
Our goal is to support vulnerable people—including orphans, refugees, widows, and survivors of sexual violence—by providing trauma healing through psychological counseling and psychotherapy, improving access to healthcare services, promoting peace and conflict resolution, and advocating for quality education for all, regardless of social status.
Our mission is to contribute to rebuilding the hearts and lives of people affected by armed conflicts in the African Great Lakes region by restoring hope, empowering them to become self-reliant, and enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods free from violence and armed conflict.
Our vision is to foster a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
The Consortium is officially registered with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an NGO platform under registration number JUST.112/DP-SKV/CA/8145/20.
Our Core Values
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Flexibility
- Participation
- Continuous Learning
COPGLA applies a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, harassment, and fraud.