Where It All Started
The Foundation of Wokovu Way
On November 23, 2018, Wokovu Way was established in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under the leadership of founder Darelle Bagula. Rooted in the Swahili term for “salvation,” Wokovu Way emerged to address the urgent needs of displaced populations in eastern DRC, a region marked by protracted conflict, natural disasters, and displacement. Goma, a city shaped by the 2002 Nyiragongo volcanic eruption, influxes of refugees from regional conflicts, and ongoing violence from groups such as the M23 rebels, hosts over 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps like Bulengo, Lushagala, and Rusayo as of early 2025. Wokovu Way’s mission is clear: to provide shelter and restore dignity to communities grappling with the harsh realities of displacement.
Darelle Bagula, a Goma native, brings a deep understanding of the region’s challenges, forged through personal experience and academic rigor. Raised in a city where families routinely face loss of homes and livelihoods, he pursued an economics degree at Université Libre des Grands Lacs in Goma in 2014, serving as an advisor to the student committee with a focus on external relations. His commitment to community service led him to volunteer with the US Embassy in Kinshasa on environmental initiatives and to engage in human rights advocacy through the Young African Leadership Initiative. In 2021, he completed a Master’s in Leadership and Civic Engagement at Appalachian State University in the United States, equipping him with strategic tools to amplify his impact. Returning to Goma, he channeled his expertise into founding and leading Wokovu Way.
Wokovu Way began with a modest but impactful intervention: distributing tents to IDP families in Bulengo camp. In partnership with local community members—educators, traders, and parents—the organization mobilized limited resources, including secondhand tarps and small cash contributions, to provide immediate shelter. These early efforts targeted families like that of Marie, a widow supporting three children under a makeshift cover, and Joseph, an elderly man displaced for months without protection. By delivering tents and demonstrating their assembly in challenging conditions, Wokovu Way offered a critical lifeline, enabling families to withstand Goma’s harsh climate, characterized by heavy rains and strong winds from Lake Kivu.
Operating in Goma’s IDP camps presents significant challenges. The terrain, composed of volcanic rock, complicates tent installation, while seasonal rains flood settlements and winds damage shelters. Tents deteriorate rapidly due to environmental stress, requiring constant replacement and repair. Wokovu Way has adapted by training volunteers—many of whom are displaced themselves—to reinforce shelters with improvised solutions, such as using stones for anchoring and repurposing damaged materials. Community engagement is central to these efforts, with camp residents guiding teams to the most vulnerable, including elderly individuals, pregnant women, and families with young children. Stories of resilience, such as a father digging trenches to protect his tent from flooding or a grandmother shielding her grandchildren, drive the organization’s work.
By early 2025, escalating violence from the M23 rebel group has exacerbated displacement, swelling camp populations and straining resources. Wokovu Way has scaled its operations through strategic partnerships, including collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and local organizations. These alliances facilitate access to supplies and enhance outreach, though logistical constraints persist, with supply routes often disrupted by conflict and funding limited by competing global crises. Despite these challenges, Wokovu Way prioritizes the most vulnerable, delivering shelter to thousands while fostering community-led repair initiatives to extend the lifespan of tents.
The organization’s leadership reflects a commitment to collective action. Darelle Bagula is supported by Bisimwa Bagula Maurice, who oversees administrative coordination, Bampiga Vedaste Malekera, who manages financial resources to maximize impact, and Jonathan Bahidika, who leads the healthcare department, ensuring medical needs are addressed alongside shelter provision. In July 2023, Moise Bisimwa joined the team, introducing technological advancements, including a website to enhance global visibility and plans for a Canadian office to expand advocacy and resource mobilization. These efforts underscore Wokovu Way’s vision of a broader network to support displaced communities across eastern DRC, where over 25 million people require humanitarian assistance.
Wokovu Way’s work extends beyond physical shelter to embody a commitment to human dignity. Each tent delivered represents a pledge to listen, act, and stand with those in need. Volunteers spend time with families, sharing moments of connection amid adversity, reinforcing the message that displaced communities are not forgotten. With a focus on sustainable, community-driven solutions, Wokovu Way continues to build resilience, offering a model of grassroots humanitarian response in one of the world’s most complex crises.