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
At the end of 2017, there were seven and a half million registered cases of malaria in Burundi—almost 70 percent of the entire population. With your support, we’re fighting this epidemic by distributing thousands of bed nets, protecting over 1 million households with long-lasting insecticide, and providing 7 million anti-malaria tablets to healthcare centers. The turmoil and violence that marked Burundi in recent years has stabilized, allowing thousands of refugees to begin returning to their homeland. However, this means many large foreign aid donors and organizations are withdrawing, sharply impacting the nation’s economy. Ongoing food insecurity continues to plague this mostly rural country, where bad harvests, poor sanitation, and insufficient food diversity have led to malnutrition in 3 million children. We’re continuing to work with communities on achieving self-sustainability. With your assistance we’ve planted thousands of trees and helped thousands of vulnerable households plant kitchen gardens—so families have stronger food security. We brought access to clean water to thousands of people by developing wells and water points, and helped improve sanitation and hygiene for schoolchildren by overseeing construction of latrines and hand-washing stations. Through your support, communities led changes in child protection practices and built over 600 houses for families who need shelter. And by equipping teachers with stronger teaching tools, together we’re enhancing kids’ 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's clubs in Burundi are learning to take care of others, advocate for their peers and respond to child protection issues.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Community Health Workers in Burundi are helping to improve children's health and nutrition by giving health checks to children and training caregivers on topics like exclusive breastfeeding.
- Children in Burundi are better protected from waterborne diseases by increased access to safe water for communities. Children also learned safe hygiene practices, like washing their hands at critical times throughout the day.
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.
- Teachers and parents in Burundi were trained on literacy education techniques to help children learn to read through the Literacy Boost* model. Reading camps were also established for children to regularly practice their skills outside of the classroom. *Literacy Boost is a copyrighted tool designed, developed, and owned by Save the Children.
- Adults in Burundi are becoming more aware on the value of education and are encouraging their children to stay in school and help those who have dropped out to re-enroll.
Prayer Requests from Burundi
World Vision's staff in Burundi are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Response to the ongoing malaria outbreak, affecting seven and a half million people, and food insecurity, affecting three million people.
The 100,000 returning refugees, who were displaced in neighboring countries, that Burundi expects to receive back this year.
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 percent 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.
Prayers
Peace on Earth: How to pray for conflict hot spots
Our world is full of hurting families and nations torn apart by war and violence, and it can be difficult to know how to help those in need. Through prayer, we can “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14). Pray with us for conflict zones around the world.
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