Burundi

In early 2008, some security incidents in Burundi suspended our activities for a few weeks. In spite of this, we have continued our transition from emergency relief to longer-term development work.

New programmes in education, livelihoods and health have been launched. We worked with the government on disaster prevention and helped the Ministry of Health respond to cholera outbreaks in February 2009 and December 2008

Helping schools

We trained 38 rural education advisors, who in turn trained 630 teachers on the newly introduced curriculum: Kiswahili, English and civics. We also provided training for 141 head teachers and teachers’ representatives. Parent-teacher committees were re-established in 47 schools.

Health work

Training has been provided for 270 community health workers and 270 traditional birth attendants.11,266 children and 2,967 pregnant women benefited from this. We used drama, folklore animations and video to raise community awareness of malaria, malnutrition and HIV and AIDS. We provided training for health staff to help them manage these conditions.

Women volunteers (known as Mamas Lumières) provided health and nutrition education for the mothers of 2,277 children.

Improving access to food

To improve incomes and access to food, we have given 108 people training on farming techniques. 1,048 people also received tools and seeds. Working with farmers’ associations, we distributed livestock to 1,320 people.

Representing the whole community

We supported local committees and councils to ensure their plans represented the needs and priorities of the whole community.