Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 20th, 2010
As you know, Burundi is amid election season, this first full election cycle in many years. Thus far two of the five elections in the series have taken place, though not without controversy. Here is a summary…
In the first election, all voters were able to vote for the political party of their choice [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 10th, 2010
Yesterday was an exciting day in Matara… the beginning of soap production!
Each family in Matara has been encouraged to start a business enterprise to help generate family income. We offered a class on micro-enterprise which included things like creating a business plan, considering the market for goods, recording expenses, accounting for the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 30th, 2010
Ubuntu is a Xhosa word that represents an African concept – we are persons through other persons. I am who I am because you are who you are, and our interactions contribute (or detract) from the other. My quality of life is enriched when you are healthy, when you are employed and your [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 20th, 2010
“No one died this year,” is how Francois described the goodness of the first full year in Matara. Every other year, the calendar is marked by deaths. Everyone cannot make the year since food is scarce, water a multi-mile walk away and money hard to make when your village is without resource and [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 14th, 2010
This morning, we went to Matara one last time for this trip. It was a work day. We spent the morning in 3 teams… planting indigenous trees in their tree nursery, planting cabbage, and making fireless cookers.
However, I must start with Iribuka. Iribuka was the first baby born on the Batwa land [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 13th, 2010
This morning, our group split into two groups and went to two different churches here in Bujumbura.
Next, Kelley cooked lunch for us and served us at her house. After lunch, we were sitting outside on their porch, and in the distance, we heard drumming. Before we knew it, a group of men came [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 13th, 2010
God was smiling today. What a difference today has made in the Batwa tribe for generations to come. How special that the Batwa children witnessed the commitments of their parents. What HOPE for their future – now that “they are written down,” as Franscois – their elected tribe leader – so gracefully [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 12th, 2010
Today, we visited the village of Matara. It has changed so much since last year! LIFE everywhere you look! In the harvest, in the water, in the faces and eyes of the beautiful Batwa. Ten couples were also preparing for their marriage to take place tomorrow! We will be joining [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 11th, 2010
After a brief Kirundi lesson this morning we visited the Batwa at Bubanza. We were greeted with singing and dancing!!
We spent the evening at the student house, finished the day off with a little Indian food and are now resting up for a day in Matara tomorrow!
Posted in Uncategorized on Jun 10th, 2010
The group from COF made it safe and sound to Burundi and miraculously their luggage did too!!
Tomorrow we’ll be having some Kirundi lessons before we head off to Bubanza and the student house. You can check this site for more updates soon!