JAKFA : Frenchies Love Kinshasa ENG

The association Quartier Ouest, through its program Just a Kid From Africa, presents the second edition of the project Frenchies Love Kinshasa.

This project aims to organize a solidarity trip to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, November 9, 2026 (4 different packages available).

The program includes the distribution of sports and educational equipment, meetings with children from underprivileged neighborhoods, visits to orphanages, and the organization of basketball training camps in collaboration with local clubs.

At the same time, participants will have the opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage of Kinshasa: from the iconic Matonge district to Gombe, including the Freedom Market, national museums, and the banks of the Congo River.

A unique immersion experience combining solidarity, sport, and culture in the heart of one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities.

WHO ARE WE?

Based in Normandy, the association Quartier Ouest has been active for over 15 years and is now considered a reference in France for organizing basketball-related sports events. These include youth training camps, solidarity missions, and tournaments — the most famous being the Quartier Ouest Tournament. This event brings together professional and amateur players from all over France, Europe, North America, and even Japan. Notably, French international and NBA player Nicolas Batum of the L.A. Clippers has taken part.

The Just A Kid From Africa program is an eco-citizen initiative launched by the French association Quartier Ouest.

A donation for Haiti, in partnership with the association Accueil et Partage:
Two containers of essential goods were sent to the capital, Port-au-Prince, following the devastating earthquake that struck the island in 2010.

Sports and educational supplies sent to multiple destinations:

2015: Rabat 🇲🇦 (Morocco)
2015: Togo 🇹🇬, via the association FiveHearts
2016: Donations to a church in Alexandria 🇪🇬 (Egypt), which has been welcoming Sudanese refugees for over 30 years
2017: Abidjan 🇨🇮 (Ivory Coast)
2009, 2019, and since 2021: Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩
Since 2016: Annual shipments to Cameroon 🇨🇲
2022: Brazzaville 🇨🇬 (Congo)
2022: Gorée Island 🇸🇳 (Senegal), via the association Nio Far
2022 & 2024: Cotonou and Porto-Novo 🇧🇯 (Benin)

In the DRC 🇨🇩, we have also helped fund school fees for students and high schoolers in Kinshasa.
We supported Christmas events for children in Pakadjuma and in orphanages.
On the sports side, we backed several basketball tournaments and academies by providing equipment and logistical support.

We’ve also organized training camps and youth meetups to promote exchange, learning, and the growth of local basketball.

In partnership with the Heart of L.A Foundation 🇺🇸, we donated tickets to allow youth from underprivileged neighborhoods in Los Angeles to attend NBA games and even play on the Staples Center court.

In France 🇫🇷, through various partnerships, we’ve helped people in need — notably migrants in the Ouistreham area — by distributing over a hundred heated blankets.

KINSHASA

A SAFE DESTINATION
A quick and useful geography reminder: Kinshasa is located about 2,000 km away from the troubled eastern regions of the country, which often contribute to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s negative tourist reputation and associated fears. Boycotting Kinshasa for such reasons would be like avoiding Paris because of issues in another distant country such as Romania.

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is a cosmopolitan city that hosts many foreign residents. The main languages spoken are Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, and Tshiluba, alongside French, which is the official language. With an estimated population of around 15 million inhabitants in 2020, its urban area is the third most populous in Africa, after Cairo and Lagos. Located on the southern bank of the Congo River, it directly faces Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo.

The festive reputation of Kinshasa is well established. Known as a city that never sleeps, it is often described as vibrant and full of energy. One of its most iconic districts is Matonge, located in the Kalamu commune, considered the heart of entertainment and the stronghold of the SAPE movement since the 1970s.

Kinshasa is also internationally recognized for its artistic richness and cultural influence. It is a modern and lively metropolis, home to numerous artists and a thriving cultural scene, despite the challenges that may come with such a fast-growing city.

Congolese rumba, born from Cuban influences in the 1950s, has continued to evolve into modern styles such as Ndombolo, which has in turn influenced many other musical genres across Africa, including Coupé-Décalé and Soukous. Among its most famous artists are Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomidé, and Fally Ipupa.

The SAPE (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes) is another major cultural phenomenon unique to Kinshasa and Brazzaville. It is a socio-fashion movement centered on elegance, style, and the proud display of high-end clothing brands.

For those wishing to explore further, it is very easy to reach Brazzaville from Kinshasa. The two capitals are the closest in the world, separated only by the Congo River, and can be reached by boat in less than 20 minutes.

Finally, for those dreaming of the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal town of Muanda is accessible either by a 1.5-hour flight or a full day’s bus journey.

OUR STARTING FIVE

This region remains a relatively unexplored destination, still largely unknown, and therefore refreshingly authentic and unique. It is ideal for true travelers seeking meaningful experiences and genuine encounters, far from the standardized nature of mass tourism.

Essential to the success of this journey, here are the five key pillars we will highlight throughout the experience. Here is a preview of what to expect.

1) Solidarity
With 36 million inhabitants under the age of 14, representing approximately 46% of the total population, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an extremely young country. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure still limits the full development and potential of this youth.

2) Education
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has made significant progress in the education sector, yet it remains one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It is estimated that around 3.5 million children—approximately 26.7% of primary-school-age children—are still not enrolled in school.

3) Nature
Kinshasa has an equatorial climate, characterized by hot and humid conditions, with alternating rainy and dry seasons. The Congo River, a legendary natural artery that gave the country its name, borders the city and remains deeply connected to its identity. It offers beautiful river escapes and weekend getaways around the outskirts of Kinshasa.

Despite the city’s urban expansion since the 19th century, Kinshasa still preserves traces of its former savannah landscapes, particularly on the outskirts of the Gombe district, considered the economic heart of the city. These areas offer access to natural sites where visitors can experience local wildlife and flora up close.

4) Arts & History
Kinshasa has a rich historical legacy, from the ancient Kongo Kingdom to Portuguese invasion and later Belgian colonization. Many traces of this layered history can still be found in the city’s museums, parks, markets, and monuments.

The city is home to numerous iconic sites, including some of the earliest Catholic churches and the famous Tata Raphaël Stadium, known worldwide for hosting the legendary Ali–Foreman fight (“Rumble in the Jungle”). This journey will allow you to discover the city’s highlights at a comfortable pace, designed to ensure a balanced and enjoyable experience.

5) Basketball
Don’t hesitate to check our dedicated article on basketball in the Congo.

Because it is the very foundation of this project, basketball is the central pillar of this adventure. It is the second most popular team sport in the country after football, making the orange ball an essential part of daily life in Kinshasa and beyond.

The DRC has produced several NBA legends, including the late Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, as well as Jonathan Kuminga, Bismack Biyombo, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Patrick Mutombo, who now serves as an NBA assistant coach.

It is also a stronghold of African women’s basketball, with renowned players such as Mwadi Mabika and Bernadette Ngoyisa Mudju—a three-time African champion and 1996 Olympic participant—among many others.

In addition to these iconic figures, several international players of Congolese origin have represented other national teams, including Serge Ibaka (Spain), Clint Capela (Switzerland), as well as French internationals such as Victor Wembanyama, Sylvain Francisco, and Guerschon Yabusele.

THE PROGRAM

The Frenchies Love Kinshasa project is прежде tout a solidarity-based journey, whose main objective is to discover the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo while carrying out a small humanitarian mission.

Orphanage
We will organize a visit to an orphanage, including activities with the children and the distribution of donations.

School Exchange
A visit to a local school in the capital, where we will spend time interacting with students in a classroom setting.

Sports Colloquium
Organization of basketball tournaments and mini training camps, as well as the distribution of sports equipment to clubs across the capital.

Nature & Discovery
Many places will be explored, including:

City center walk
Stroll along the Congo River
The Lukaya waterfalls
Kinsuka Beach

Arts & History
Kinshasa is home to more than 14 million inhabitants and over 450 ethnic groups. We have selected key must-see sites to enrich your discovery of the city, including:

The Limete Exchange Tower
The statues and mausoleums of Patrice Émery Lumumba and Laurent-Désiré Kabila
The Stade des Martyrs
The National Museum of the DRC
The Central African Cultural and Artistic Centre

Surprises Ahead
We have several surprises in store for you, which will be revealed in due time!

Free Time
If you wish to explore on your own, there will be plenty of free time allowing you, for example, to visit family and friends. When you love Kinshasa, there are places and experiences that are truly essential to discover. This is therefore an opportunity to explore the city further at your own pace.

Gombe

During our trip, Gombe will serve as our base camp for the entire duration of the stay.

Gombe is a commune located in the northern part of the city-province of Kinshasa. Both residential and business-oriented, it lies directly opposite Brazzaville across the Congo River.

It hosts the country’s main governmental institutions, including the Presidential Office at the Palais de la Nation, the Central Bank, as well as numerous ministries, media headquarters, and diplomatic representations. It is also home to major financial institutions, the city’s central business district, and the headquarters of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

In short, Gombe offers something for everyone.

Click here to access the registration form for Frenchies Love Kinshasa, as well as for more details and pricing information.

4-week package: 28 nights / from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, November 16, 2026.
3-week package: 21 nights / from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, November 9, 2026.
2-week package: 14 nights / from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, November 2, 2026.
1-week package: 7 nights / from Sunday, October 18 to Monday, October 27, 2026.

⚠️ Additionally, it is possible to arrange with the association to adjust arrival and departure dates if necessary.

Click here to access the association membership form.

Membership in the Quartier Ouest association is required to take part in the trip. This membership covers the period from January 1st, 2026 to December 31st, 2026.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Welcome and support upon arrival
Round-trip flights from Paris (you may also choose to book your own flights)
Airport / hotel transfers
All activities included in the program
Accommodation

THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Personal extras and expenses
Local transportation
Meals
Personal insurance
Visa fees, passport fees, and GO PASS fees

Places are limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. Early booking is therefore strongly recommended. Registrations are now open, with a limited number of spots available.

nterested in this trip? Have any questions?
Contact us at: justakidfromafrica@gmail.com