Burundi is one of the countries with a high number of orphans due to the 12 year civil conflict, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and poverty. It is estimated that 610,000 children in Burundi are orphans . The war caused over 300,000 deaths, over 800,000 refugees, and over 150,000 internally displaced persons. The country is in a post-conflict reconstruction period, but the consequences of the war continue to weigh heavily on the daily lives of its citizens.
Many challenges remain, especially those related to socio-economic conditions being extremely difficult in the country, including a very high poverty level with a record of 65% among urban population and 70% among the rural population living below the level of poverty. The serious and violent crisis that hit the country has cut more than half of its GDP and multiplied by two the number of Burundians living below $ 1 per day.
It is in this context that HOPE worldwide Burundi (HWWB) was founded in 2000. The goal of HOPE worldwide Burundi is to improve the well-being, protect orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Burundi by building the capacity of families and communities to cope and respond. HWWB is active in the fields of education, nutrition, health and fight against poverty as it improves lives. It also works with disadvantaged and vulnerable groups especially in neglected or ignored areas.
Ciella got problems when she was very young. At the age of ten, her parents got separated and each of them remarried. It was not easy for Ciella and her sibling. Living with her dad was impossible and neither was with her mom. She had to go to live with her grandmother and she was deeply hurt that it was not easy for her to talk to her parents.
The 1993 war took Willy’s parents and some of his siblings. He was miserably living in a camp of displaced. He joined the ranks of armed groups forsaking his studies.
Cynthia is the first of four children from same mother. Her parents got separated when she was 8 years old and in 2nd year primary school. Her mother got 2 more children from different men and her father got another wife.
Yvan, a 16-year-old boy, a student in Grade 8, is the eldest of a family of 5 children. He comes from a very deprived family. At the age of 14, he developed cancer in one of his legs.
The month of September is still a nightmare for majority of Burundian parents and students following the reopening of schools for a new school year. Few of them have sufficient school materials required by the school.
1. Harvesting in June 2015 | 2. Preparing the grounds in November 2015 | 3. Planting rice in December 2015 |
He was on the street when we met him. Janvier had no hope of continuing his studies because his parents could not support his schooling.
He went into drugs.
Cedric: "I am full of gratitude to the donors, for other students and I fell sick many times and your funds paid for our bills"
Meet Leila one of the teenagers supported by HOPE
There is a day that will remain unforgettable in the memory of Leila, her two little brothers and her mother.
Children receiving school uniforms and materials
The school year 2015-2016 opened its doors despite instability.