Burundi

Baskets build bridges in Burundi

Conflict in Burundi between Tutsi and Hutu killed 300,000 people, and forced families from their homes as refugees. Our Lutheran program is helping heal war’s wounds, as widow Madeleine Kabajije shares…

“When the war came we ran away to Tanzania. My husband came back to look for food for us, but he was killed by the armed forces.

My children were so sad, and lost hope. I did everything I can to lift their spirits.

We returned in 2005, but because I am poor it is not possible to cover the needs for my children. I prayed to the Lord, and I stayed with my children. This is where I gained my strength.

Now I have goats, and I have learnt basket-weaving. This can give me extra income.”

Madeleine is one of 24 women in this group of basket-weavers, brought together by the Lutheran team. The group meets together every Friday to work on their baskets, review what has been woven in the week, and check stores of raw materials. Each day, 3 or 4 women get together to weave. It takes about 3 weeks to finish a complete Burundi basket. It sells for around $7.

Madeleine says: “I am hopeful for the future. I have now started a normal life again, and I can feed my children. With basket-weaving and goats, I can make a better future.”

Action Idea: Choose 10 ducks to help a war widow start a poultry farm to support her children. Just $44.

Country: Burundi

Where: Cankuzo & Ruyigi Provinces

What: Community Empowerment Program

Who: Direct beneficiaries: population of 7 collines (total: 21,246 persons)

Indirect beneficiaries: population of 3 communes (total: 175, 733 persons)

Our Contribution: $225,000

The focus of this Community Empowerment Project is to assist the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in the project area and to facilitate the successful return, resettlement and re-integration of displaced individuals into Burundian communities.

The development aspect of the program seeks to empower local associations within the project areas who have taken the initiative to progress toward their own development. The advancement of these local associations will enable them to best assist the most vulnerable and marginalized. Therefore the program focuses on capacity building for self-selected local associations working in the agricultural and livestock sectors and in income generating activities. It is essential that any development approach must focus on the inclusiveness of the vulnerable and marginalized people.

Current focus groups in the program include:

Returnees
Internally Displaced People [IDPs]
Ex-combatants
Landless households
Youth
Albino community
Disabled persons
Persons living with HIV/AIDS
The Batwa [aboriginal] community.

Details of the Youth Project

Haguruka: Stabilizing Peace through Burundi’s Youth

“Haguruka” is a Burundian verb that literally means, “to stand up from a seated position.” LWF Burundi, in consultation with local staff and stakeholders, chose this name to embody the overall goal and process of the project. The title “Haguruka” evokes the idea of taking control of one’s destiny and transitioning from a passive state to an active one. As Burundian youths participating in the project are empowered to control their economic prospects and claim a bigger role in community affairs, the word Haguruka will take on this implied meaning. The name was also chosen because LWF Burundi has realized that it is important for the community to understand and recognize a project in the local language. The name will help with project visibility and help LWF communities to understand the purpose of it.

Haguruka is a program specifically geared towards youth consisting of activities that empower and enable young people to understand and claim their rights, improve their practice of sustainable agriculture, and reduce their dependence on agriculture through the acquisition of skills and opportunities in other fields. Working in conjunction with the Community Empowerment Project (CEP), Haguruka uses community-based youth facilitators to educate and lead discussions with young people and provides material and technical support to fill the gaps in youths’ abilities. The program is designed to transform young people – currently marginalized in their communities, both economically and otherwise - into confident, skilled, and innovative individuals that can lead Burundi out of a destructive past.

Overall Project Goal: Economically and politically marginalised Burundian youth become confident, skilled and productive individuals who are capable of ensuring the future peace and stability of the country.

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Burundi

Baskets build bridges in Burundi