Gabon

Gabon: Building a Brighter Future Beyond the Capital

Explore Gabon:

Discover how children in one of Africa’s wealthiest nations by natural resources are still struggling with inequality, exclusion, and silence — and meet the local changemakers working to ensure every child is seen and supported.

The Situation for Children in Gabon

Gabon is rich in forests and oil, but many of its children grow up disconnected from the country’s progress. For those outside the capital, in informal settlements, or living with disabilities, opportunity is often out of reach. These are the three most urgent issues children face:

Inequality in Education Access and Retention

While Gabon boasts high urban literacy rates, many rural schools are under-resourced, and dropout rates remain high. Girls, disabled children, and children in remote villages often fall through the cracks.

Neglect and Abuse in Institutional Care

Many children without family support end up in state-run institutions with poor oversight. Reports of physical abuse, emotional neglect, and lack of schooling are common — with few avenues for justice or reform.

Silence Around Abuse, Disability, and Mental Health

Cultural taboos prevent open dialogue about abuse, trauma, and neurodiversity. Children with disabilities often remain invisible — excluded from school and public life, without support or understanding.

Despite these challenges, Gabon’s children remain full of hope, dreaming of education, health, and opportunities for a better tomorrow.

Key Contributor #1: Arc-En-Ciel Gabon

Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerable Children in Crisis

Operating in Libreville and surrounding communities, Arc-En-Ciel Gabon supports children affected by abuse, homelessness, and family breakdown. The organization runs a shelter that provides temporary housing, trauma counseling, legal advocacy, and school reintegration.

Social workers also engage families, helping prevent future abuse and restore safe home environments when possible. Their goal isn’t just rescue — it’s restoration.

For children who felt invisible, Arc-En-Ciel becomes a home, a school, and a promise of safety.

Key Contributor #2: ONG MINJE

Breaking the Silence Around Disability and Child Inclusion

ONG MINJE (Mouvement Inclusif pour la Jeunesse) advocates for the rights of children with disabilities, offering early intervention programs, caregiver training, and inclusive play-based learning in underserved regions of Gabon.

They also run awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around neurodiversity and visible disabilities, and work with teachers to build more inclusive classrooms.

For many families, MINJE is the first organization that looks at their child — and sees possibility, not limitation.

Key Event #1: Healing Through Play – Port-Gentil

Helping Children Recover From Abuse and Neglect With Play Therapy

In 2023, Arc-En-Ciel launched Healing Through Play, a therapeutic day program for children living in shelters or recovering from trauma. Guided by social workers and educators, children explored their emotions through dance, painting, roleplay, and cooperative games.

The program gave children the tools to build trust, process grief, and regain a sense of joy. It also offered caregivers training on how to support trauma recovery at home.

For many children, this was their first experience with safe play.

Key Event #2: Inclusive Learning Festival – Haut-Ogooué Province

Bringing Together Families, Educators, and Children With Disabilities

Held in 2024, the Inclusive Learning Festival celebrated disability inclusion in early education. Organized by ONG MINJE, the event featured adaptive learning stations, inclusive sports, caregiver forums, and training for rural teachers on how to support children with special needs.

Children with disabilities led performances and workshops, showing their talents and building confidence. Parents shared stories of isolation — and new connection.

The festival didn’t just raise awareness — it planted seeds of systemic change.

Top Grassroot Nonprofits Across Gabon