June 1st was an exciting day for Community For Burundi and their Batwa friends… it was the day that the relocation of 30 families began!

The morning began with more than 30 Batwa men on the land of Matara ready to work and begin preparing a place for their families. Claude and the committee members came with the official list of selected families, to ensure that there be order from the beginning. It seemed there were about a dozen extra men present, hoping to squeeze into the newly forming village by offering their hard work or just simply blending in. One was originally scouted out to be part of the initial group, but declined because he did not really believe that this day would come, that the promise of land was true. But he was there… finally seeing what was promised with his eyes. But this was not his day to relocate, as he had declined. This day he was to support others as they moved up the hill to their new home.

Once the 30 men were identified, they all made their way over the river and up the hill to the site of their new village. Most men came with just a plastic grocery bag of things… not much for moving day. But truly, this land is all they now have. So the CFB committee gathered them all on the hillside, inviting them to sit for an inaugural meeting of the village men. There was a long discussion about the expectations for the new community they are building and detailed conversation about the next steps in cultivating their village life. The first real order of business was electing the 5 village leaders, or local government. This is the foundation for village leadership and corporate responsibility for the welfare of this village. These are the 5 men that will work closely with the committee to steer the village in the seasons to come.

While there was a layout for the plots of land for each family, no assignments had been made as to which family would reside on which plot. But there was no struggle or contention as the men went to set down their belongings and begin working on their new home sites. Everyone was so excited to be inhabiting this rich quality of land, that no one felt the need to fight over site locations. There was just gratitude that they were here and part of this new endeavor!

The men were in for a surprise… unexpected gifts as they began their life in Matara. The CFB committee brought gifts to assist them with their new life here – like a bunch of housewarming gifts! There was a large cooking pot for each family, hoes for their gardens, soap, salt, beans, rice and other tools necessary for a strong beginning. The men were thrilled – they have never been given such a chance, even the very tools for success as they put down their roots here. The spirits were high today!

The CFB team will be coming up to the site daily as the project begins and the building takes shape. There will be a social worker on site to get to know the family and access their needs. There is a local engineer to assist with the construction of homes, roads and such. The committee members will be working alongside the Batwa to both deepen relationships and supervise the formative stages of the community development. And in a few weeks, the women and children will move to the new home, bringing an abundance of energy and life to Matara!

We are on the way…