Oscar comes from a large family of seven children. Both of his parents are still living, but they do not have regular work. This is a familiar plight for Batwa families… no available work which leaves the children without adequate food to eat, no clean water to wash and school a luxury many cannot afford. But then he met Evariste, a university student and leader for Community For Burundi – and that changed everything!

Evariste learned that Oscar was completing the 8th grade, and that he was determined to make a difference in his community if he could just pull together enough resources to finish school. Once he graduated from secondary school, he wants to study agriculture and become an agricultural engineer. He has long been fascinated with plants, how crops grow and even animal husbandry. He wants to learn more so that he can teach other Batwa community leaders how to cultivate crops, bring in needed nutrition and funds for things like wells, school fees, blankets and more sustainable housing. His family still lives in a hut made of straw and palm fronds… and he wants to build them a home out of bricks one day… to give them stability, security and a future.

Oscar dreams of building a large home someday – like the Community For Burundi house where he now lives. He is known around the house for his love of dancing. And now, he says he feels like dancing all day and night because of the joy he has getting to live with the other students in the Community For Burundi house!