Travel to Burundi
Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries, with an estimated population of 8.5 million and a growth rate of 3.4% per year. More than 90% of the population depends on subsistence farming, and economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports. Nicknamed the heart of Africa for its location and shape, Burundi is a country struggling to overcome significant obstacles. The national is in the midst of recovering from a cycle of violence that began in 1993 that led to over 13 years of civil strife. The conflict caused physical destruction of homes and farms, infrastructure, roads, schools and health centers – although the worst destruction has been of human life and spirit. As a result of the civil war, over 300,000 people lost their lives and over one million became refugees or were internally displaced.
Although the conflict ended three years ago, the final peace agreements were only signed in 2008 and many significant challenges remain. World Relief Burundi sees this poverty, destruction and the resulting challenges that this small country faces. In community with the local Church, WR Burundi envisions the most vulnerable people of Burundi transformed economically, socially and spiritually.
Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries, with an estimated population of 8.5 million and a growth rate of 3.4% per year. More than 90% of the population depends on subsistence farming, and economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports. Nicknamed the heart of Africa for its location and shape, Burundi is a country struggling to overcome significant obstacles. The national is in the midst of recovering from a cycle of violence that began in 1993 that led to over 13 years of civil strife. The conflict caused physical destruction of homes and farms, infrastructure, roads, schools and health centers – although the worst destruction has been of human life and spirit. As a result of the civil war, over 300,000 people lost their lives and over one million became refugees or were internally displaced.
Although the conflict ended three years ago, the final peace agreements were only signed in 2008 and many significant challenges remain. World Relief Burundi sees this poverty, destruction and the resulting challenges that this small country faces. In community with the local Church, WR Burundi envisions the most vulnerable people of Burundi transformed economically, socially and spiritually.
Sunday, March 8 The sounds of drumming and hymns of praise filled the air as we traveled by truck up the narrow dirt road, dodging large holes, boulders and crevices. When we finally arrived, we were greeted by the congregation of the United Methodist Church, outside Bujumbura. The morning included lively worship with singing and dancing by several different choirs. Following this we met in the church with savings groups formed by Dutabarane, a local NGO that mobilizes church denominations to empower the most vulnerable in their midst with economic develoment and compassionate care.
Next we met with leaders of a local Anglican Church followed by meeting with advisors and trained peer educators with the Mobilizing Youth for Life Program - World Relief's highlighly acclaimed program that empowers youth to make wise choices. Pastor Nathan and other Dutabarane leaders held a lively meeting with 25 youth – some trained to be peer educators. Our discussion covered the first training section that addresses issues related to youth and self-esteem. The youth were very open talking about some of their challenges they face when confronted with issues of purity and sexuality.
Friday, March 6 Before leaving Kenya, we spent a day at Nakuru National Game Park to see some of God's incredible creatures!
Thursday, March 5
REPORT OF TRIP BY MARTY KOLLMEYER --Nairobi city has a huge slum that is rather “famous” (infamous) and fortunately several relief agencies work there. But it is not the only slum in Kenya! In the suburb of Ongata Rongai a slum came to be in an abandoned rock quarry and still carries the name “Quarry”. We learned from Program Director Josephine how a relief branch known as FARAJA (Swahili for Comfort) began about 8 years ago with the help of Debbie Dortzbach, World Relief Director of Health and Social Development, to help the large numbers of people contracting AIDS in the Quarry. Josephine first heard of this need from a group of local pastors from the Rongai area. Faraja has now expanded into several service areas in a truly holistic fashion that deal with the overwhelming complications that poverty plus AIDS can cause.
We talked with Alice and Lillian about the medical care they provide, both for AIDS-related and other diseases. This is done as both a walk-in clinic, plus Lillian walking to the tiny spaces occupied by those who are too sick to get to the clinic. Dealing with mothers with AIDS sometimes leads to the tragic end where orphans are left behind, so Faraja has added medical and training services targeted for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Alice spoke with immense passion of their love for these kids and how they attempt to also pay for schooling for the orphans whenever possible. We met two impressive young men, John and Kepha, who were orphaned, cared for by Faraja, sent to school and now are heading to college looking for careers in medicine and social work. What wonderful role models! 
Millicent then explained to us how education to prevent the spread of AIDS is now a large part of the effort. Mobilizing Youth for Life preaches the positive message of life – both a physical life without AIDS through abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage, and the spiritual life we can find only in Jesus Christ. Another great message was “Live Positive”, targeted at those who are HIV+, but stressing how God still has “positive” plans for their life, both physically and spiritually. This positive training is taught mostly by people who are HIV+, but are also positive about God’s plan for their own lives.
Some of the people of the Quarry have been strengthened physically and spiritually, but still are caught in the mire of poverty. Victor told us about large training sessions being held to teach about Income Generation, and many are also taken through Skills Assessments. Microfinance operations have also begun as an advanced way to get the vulnerable people of the Quarry started on a path that leads them out of poverty.
It was a great experience to see how the Faraja story started with a vision of providing AIDS medical help, but then – using the eyes of Jesus to see the whole person and the heart – has expanded to a holistic “Comfort” to the people of the Quarry.
Tuesday, March 3 Day Two of the Kenya strategic planning meetings. We had a stirring devotion led by Gary Fairchild (WR’s Director for Int’l. Relations). We began the strategy session by concentrating on our church mobilization activities. Rev. John Gichinga is WR Kenya’s Director for Church Mobilization. He formerly served as the Sr. Pastor at Nairobi Baptist (one of the largest megachurches in Kenya and a strong partner) before “retiring”. We sought him out to help us empower the Kenyan churches (the core of WR’s mission). We thank God for bringing his wisdom, experience, and deep relationships to us. We were particularly impressed with their initiatives related to promoting proper relationships between genders, ethnicities, co-workers, and family. All advancing our vision to building stronger Godly community.
REPORT OF TRIP BY MARTY KOLLMEYER --Nairobi city has a huge slum that is rather “famous” (infamous) and fortunately several relief agencies work there. But it is not the only slum in Kenya! In the suburb of Ongata Rongai a slum came to be in an abandoned rock quarry and still carries the name “Quarry”. We learned from Program Director Josephine how a relief branch known as FARAJA (Swahili for Comfort) began about 8 years ago with the help of Debbie Dortzbach, World Relief Director of Health and Social Development, to help the large numbers of people contracting AIDS in the Quarry. Josephine first heard of this need from a group of local pastors from the Rongai area. Faraja has now expanded into several service areas in a truly holistic fashion that deal with the overwhelming complications that poverty plus AIDS can cause.
We talked with Alice and Lillian about the medical care they provide, both for AIDS-related and other diseases. This is done as both a walk-in clinic, plus Lillian walking to the tiny spaces occupied by those who are too sick to get to the clinic. Dealing with mothers with AIDS sometimes leads to the tragic end where orphans are left behind, so Faraja has added medical and training services targeted for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). Alice spoke with immense passion of their love for these kids and how they attempt to also pay for schooling for the orphans whenever possible. We met two impressive young men, John and Kepha, who were orphaned, cared for by Faraja, sent to school and now are heading to college looking for careers in medicine and social work. What wonderful role models! 
Millicent then explained to us how education to prevent the spread of AIDS is now a large part of the effort. Mobilizing Youth for Life preaches the positive message of life – both a physical life without AIDS through abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage, and the spiritual life we can find only in Jesus Christ. Another great message was “Live Positive”, targeted at those who are HIV+, but stressing how God still has “positive” plans for their life, both physically and spiritually. This positive training is taught mostly by people who are HIV+, but are also positive about God’s plan for their own lives.
Some of the people of the Quarry have been strengthened physically and spiritually, but still are caught in the mire of poverty. Victor told us about large training sessions being held to teach about Income Generation, and many are also taken through Skills Assessments. Microfinance operations have also begun as an advanced way to get the vulnerable people of the Quarry started on a path that leads them out of poverty.
It was a great experience to see how the Faraja story started with a vision of providing AIDS medical help, but then – using the eyes of Jesus to see the whole person and the heart – has expanded to a holistic “Comfort” to the people of the Quarry.
Tuesday, March 3 Day Two of the Kenya strategic planning meetings. We had a stirring devotion led by Gary Fairchild (WR’s Director for Int’l. Relations). We began the strategy session by concentrating on our church mobilization activities. Rev. John Gichinga is WR Kenya’s Director for Church Mobilization. He formerly served as the Sr. Pastor at Nairobi Baptist (one of the largest megachurches in Kenya and a strong partner) before “retiring”. We sought him out to help us empower the Kenyan churches (the core of WR’s mission). We thank God for bringing his wisdom, experience, and deep relationships to us. We were particularly impressed with their initiatives related to promoting proper relationships between genders, ethnicities, co-workers, and family. All advancing our vision to building stronger Godly community.
The next session on resourcing the strategic plan became very animated & lively! There was a great amount of brainstorming on everything from branding to E-giving to local philanthropy to the current public grant environment. It was a wonderfully spirited session on both our challenges but also God’s great provision for us over the past few years.
In the afternoon we visited Mathare, the second largest slum in Nairobi. Getting there was quite an experience! Like many cities in developing economies, Nairobi has exploded in scale in the last 20 years. The population is now approaching 4 million, and, although there has been much investment in infrastructure, it is struggling to keep up. Approximately 600,000 people live in Mathare within a 3 square mile area. Crime and HIV/Aids are common. It is estimated that one in three adults is HIV positive. 70,000 children live there with only 4 public schools to educate them, so many children do not attend school even though tuition is free.
We finally arrived at WR's church partner, Victory Outreach Centre, on the edge of Mathare, where the members had been waiting for several hours. We came to see WR's Program for Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC) and met the congregation led by Rev. Peter Malthya. We immediately noticed the significant improvements to both the church and the surrounding community. What a joy to see these brothers and sisters being blessed for in their ministry. We were introduced to the orphans and their caregivers, before going into the inner slum in groups of 3 or 4 to visit some homes and deliver food. Mathare is built on the side of a steep hill. As you enter, your first impression is narrow uneven pathways with open sewage gutters running down each side. These paths are lined by tiny shacks built of corrugated iron, with children playing or sleeping on the ground against the walls.
We visited a young single mother named Diana who was a caregiver for 3 orphans. We stooped low and entered into her home that was no larger than a typical bathroom. With great hospitality, she invited us to sit while she continued breastfeeding her 1-yr old daughter Elizabeth. She has lived in the slum ever since coming to the city after her sister was killed by one of those overcrowded microbuses about 5 years ago. Her sister left 3 children who were now 9, 7, and 5 in addition to her own daughter. Where were the fathers? Diana worked odd jobs such as washing clothes, but not daily; for about $1/day. School fees for the orphans typically ran about $12/month. Her rent for the one room house costs another $8/month. So very little was left for food and on those days prayer would be her only sustenance. Her joy was evident with Naomi who visited her regularly from the church. Diana loved the church and now sang in the choir. Today would be a day to pray with her and also to bring her food. Following the visit with Diana, we went on to see a World Relief project further along the street. This project combined micro-finance and economic empowerment principles with social rehabilitation for sufferers of HIV/AIDSs. Working through the local church, a team under a trained social worker, was teaching some HIV sufferers basic tailoring as part of a program to give them life skills and, ultimately, economic sustainability. All of the women were looking after families with at least 6 children. With anti-retroviral medicines, these women can lead relatively healthy lives and their children can be saved from becoming orphans. But the women need training in nutrition and they need group support to overcome social stigma. The training in tailoring was the last step in social rehabilitation, giving the chance of employment or even small business entrepreneurship.
Monday, March 2
I am attending a Strategic planning session for World Relief Kenya. We’ve assembled a great team for the planning session including senior leadership from Kenya and Baltimore along with several external stakeholders and Board member Kathy Vaselkiv.
Tim and Michele Breene from Boston (pictured here with Jean Paul Ndagijimana, WR East Africa Director) will be facilitating and providing leadership for this meeting. We will be reviewing 3 year plans for our work in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC), Economic Development, Peace Building and Church Mobilization. Also included will be field visits to see Mobilizing Youth for Life – our HIV/AIDS prevention program and our work with orphans and vulnerable children.
I am attending a Strategic planning session for World Relief Kenya. We’ve assembled a great team for the planning session including senior leadership from Kenya and Baltimore along with several external stakeholders and Board member Kathy Vaselkiv.
Tim and Michele Breene from Boston (pictured here with Jean Paul Ndagijimana, WR East Africa Director) will be facilitating and providing leadership for this meeting. We will be reviewing 3 year plans for our work in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC), Economic Development, Peace Building and Church Mobilization. Also included will be field visits to see Mobilizing Youth for Life – our HIV/AIDS prevention program and our work with orphans and vulnerable children.
Our first stop was to conduct a food distribution for a very special rural church about two hours outside of Nairobi. This church has been attending to OVCs orphaned by the HIV/AIDs pandemic. I was overwhelmed when the caregivers for these orphans were asked to rise (numbering around 100), and amazed to learn that six months ago this community even contributed 30 bags of maize to help another area of famine in Kenya! They sacrificed when it made absolutely no sense based on their own vulnerable situation. They trusted the Lord would provide all their needs, and it was a great honor to be part of the hands and feet of Christ in delivering maize and beans to them today. 
Listen to their joyous greeting for us!
Next, we traveled to the Machakos Teachers College to meet a large group of very exceptional future teachers. Each is between 18-24 years of age. They have committed themselves to abstinence until marriage. They have also committed to be trained in our Mobilizing for Life curriculum to combat HIV/AIDS over the next two years so that they will be prepared to teach their future primary and secondary students. Just thinking about the impact these teachers will have on the future generations of Kenyans is inspiring. It was a long but super day.
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