Working in The Province of Burundi

The Province of the Episcopal Church of Burundi (formerly EEB) was established in 1992, and now has six dioceses. An Anglican presence in this part of Africa was established through the work of CMS in the 1930's.

The work of Mothers' Union, which is closely linked to that of the church, concentrates on peace and reconciliation following years of ethnic conflict. It supports repatriated refugees and displaced people, especially women and children, from Tanzanian camps, takes care of orphans, and helps those living with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as raising awareness of malaria. Mothers' Union gives people skills to help themselves out of poverty, and has started income generating projects based on agriculture, breeding animals, handicraft & bee keeping. It is active in community development, and the Literacy and Development Programme is a vital part of this work.

"My main work, and that of Mothers' Union, is to contribute towards improving people's lives. We raise awareness, encourage, support, and build confidence in people." Claudette Kigeme, Mothers Union Provincial Worker for Burundi.

"I feel able to use my skills to help poor families grow spiritually, physically and emotionally. The practical business skills will enable me to advise vulnerable people to take practical action to improve their lives." Jeanne-Francoise Ndimubakunzi, Mothers' Union Worker for Gitega diocese, Burundi.

Literacy & Development

The Mothers' Union Literacy & Development Programme (MULDP) is operating in every diocese in Burundi.

Over the last 12 years the brutal war in Burundi has shattered the economy and impoverished its population. The MULDP uses participatory techniques that allow the learners to identify and discuss issues important to them, of which security is ranked one of the highest. In response to this, one group of learners have set up a neighbourhood watch scheme to protect their homes whilst they are in the fields gardening.

In Buye diocese many of the learners in the programme have been displaced from their homes because of the war and live in horrific conditions in displacement camps. Countless people had to flee with only the clothes they were wearing. Many were left desolate, struggling to live in a foreign place without the means to make a living.

When the MULDP was offered to them they accepted with open arms. Since the programme began the displacement camps have been transformed. The process of learning together, sharing their problems and experiences and working hand in hand on development projects is key. It has helped to rebuild trust and encourage reconciliation within communities previously destroyed by the war.

The programme works in partnership with the government of Burundi. Since its introduction in 2000 over 8,000 learners have been accredited literate and numerate.

Participatory Learning

Participatory learning involves learners identifying and discussing issues important to themselves. Some learners are discussing the security situation where rebel soldiers and thieves are in the area. They plan how to guard their homes from theft whilst they are farming and now run a 'neighbourhood watch' scheme.

Others are looking at the provision of clean water in their small town. They identified the working and broken stand pipes and where in the town there was a need for new taps. They will now raise their proposals with the local administration. Another group is concerned with malnutrition among their children and the orphans for which they are caring. This follows three years of drought.

The group now know the causes and symptoms of kwashiorkor and how to address it with a balanced diet. They have collected a small sum of money from each learner (100 Burundi Francs each) and have rented a field in which potatoes and beans are flourishing, another strategy to improve nutrition.