In 2003, Internews produced a video to raise awareness of the plight of Congolese children accused of witchcraft. The video was part of a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development that trained journalists from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to report on peace talks (The Inter-Congolese Dialogue) and social issues. A music video was also produced, featuring the musicians of L'Orchestre Lachytoura, co-funded by Search for Common Ground.

There are an estimated 20,000 street children in Kinshasa, the capital of DRC. Many were forced from their homes by parents accusing them of sorcery, usually because of a family misfortune such as unemployment, an accident or death. Many such children are beaten and tortured during violent "exorcisms." Local sources suggest some have been killed. Legal redress is infrequent.

Mike Ormsby and Angela Nicoara videotape and interview musicians

Photo: Kim Sarrazin Gjerstad

Mike Ormsby (center with red hat) and Angela Nicoara (right) film musicians for a video about Congolese street children.

A widespread belief in witchcraft, the harsh economic conditions and strong evangelical influences in DRC all combine to create a social climate where children accused of demonic possession are often swiftly disowned, meaning one less mouth to feed at home.

"Enfant Dit Sorcier" ("Child Accused of Being a Witch") is a documentary featuring interviews with children accused of witchcraft, an evangelical pastor who accuses them, adult ex-street children and other relevant sources. It was presented at a Kinshasa workshop for 150 local media professionals, to encourage them to address the problem objectively.

The video was filmed, directed and produced by Angela Nicoara, former Internews Rwanda Country Director, and Mike Ormsby, former Internews DRC Project Director.