Pray for East Africa with us, especially for World Vision’s work in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Let’s lift up the concerns of the families and children of these nations to our heavenly Father and listen to what He has to say to us about them.
Why World Vision is in Burundi
The year 2018 was one of peaceful political transitions for Burundi, including a new constitution. The country’s economy is growing stronger as a whole. In October, the government suspended the work of all international nongovernmental organizations, but after a brief closure World Vision Burundi was allowed to resume work. Despite a positive year for the country, challenges remain for its people. More than half of kids in Burundi suffer from chronic malnutrition. Natural disasters like floods can wipe out homes and farms, impacting already-vulnerable families. Also, schools and teachers are overburdened by too many students and not enough resources. In rural areas, there are few, if any, kindergartens, which are vital for preparing children to succeed in school. Thanks to the support of our donors, we’re working to build up schools, teachers, and students. Children are reading better because of afterschool reading camps and a focus on literacy in schools. To address health problems, we’re treating malnourished kids and fighting preventable diseases like malaria, along with empowering farming families to grow nutritious food year-round. Church partnerships are helping transform harmful attitudes, so vulnerable people are better protected. Our staff also helped communities respond to regions hit by disasters by rebuilding flooded classrooms and distributing necessities to people affected by floods. This is just a small part of the work that’s happening in Burundi to empower kids’ lives so they have brighter futures!
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Burundi ❯
Progress in Burundi
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- Children are receiving more support from their communities. For example, community advocacy helped over 1,000 students who had previously dropped out of school to resume their studies.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Families in Burundi are being supported in a variety of ways to improve their access to nutritious foods. Families received seeds to expand their gardens so that they had more fresh foods to incorporate in their meals. Additionally, families received gifts of livestock that could be used to sell in the market and create additional income.
- Parents learned about proper nutrition practices and received agricultural support to increase their food supply.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- Having a quality learning environment is a key factor to the success of students. In Burundi, schools were given more resources like books and new classrooms were built. In addition, latrines were added to schools.
- Children's access to educational resources in Burundi is improving. Teachers received training in quality teaching methods, which led to improved quality of instruction in several classrooms. Additional support such as reading camps and career services were made available to youth.
Prayer Requests from Burundi
World Vision's staff in Burundi are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Communities will become more resilient to recurring natural disasters through better resources and support.
The World Vision staff will be able to respond to the refugees coming into Burundi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Burundi refugees returning to their homes.
News from Burundi
From the Field
World AIDS Day: 1.2 million less children with HIV
This World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, families and health workers are celebrating that child HIV rates dropped 60% between 2009 and 2015 in 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This is great news because it shows efforts are working, says Gloria Ekpo, World Vision’s HIV and AIDS specialist.
From the Field
Malaria grips Burundi: What happens when half the country gets sick?
In Burundi, a malaria outbreak is affecting more than 5 million people. Diomede, a volunteer health worker, provides diagnosis and treatment to vulnerable children.
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