War Child in Burundi
Burundi has been plagued by ethnic unrest between Hutu’s and Tutsi’s since 1972. A Hutu rebellion against the Tutsi minority that ruled the country was violently crushed. Tension between the groups slumbered for many years. In 1993 this erupted into a civil war that lasted for 13 years. The consequences of this struggle are still felt daily. Many children have grown up without ever knowing peace. That is why War Child Holland has been active in Burundi since 2008.

Children from Burundi
Children have suffered tremendously from the war. Many of them have grown up in dysfunctional, broken families or without parents altogether. Certain groups of children are particularly vulnerable.

19% of all women have been the victim of sexual violence, half of them were underage. Other groups are orphans, street children and former child soldiers. Without basic necessities such as a family, healthcare or education these children are left to their own devices. 


War Child makes a difference
In order to help these children as best as we can War Child works at three distinct levels:

• Children – we organize activities for children aged 9 – 14 years. After four sessions a screening takes place to identify children at risk and if they would benefit from Classroom Based Intervention (CBI). CBI consists of 13 sessions that teach them to deal with their emotions. 1698 children have already participated. Evaluations show that 78% of the children found it helpful.
• Family – to make sure lessons learned in classes transfer into their real life families are supported as a whole too. During home visits psychosocial assistants discuss family problems such as alcohol abuse, violence and single motherhood.
• School – 33 parent teacher committees assist the most vulnerable children by providing school materials and sensitizing parents about the right to education.

Partners
In 2011 War Child started the programme ‘promoting a spirit of change’. The programme is in progress in twelve communities and schools in the provinces Bubanza and Cibitoke. Children are taught how to stand up for their rights in this programme. Parents are educated on the difficulties of raising children.

The future
Together with our partner Aprodem-Girizina, the Burundese government and UNICEF we continue to work on an elaborate system to protect children.

Burundi in numbers
• In the war at least 300.000 people were killed and one million people had to flee from the violence.
• In 2009 approximately 160.000 people were still on the run.
• Burundi ranks 166th in the Human Development Index.
• More than 6% of all Burundese people have been a refugee at one point.
• One in five children is an orphan.

Donatiens story
Donatien de Graaff is a programs specialist for War Child. She did research on new programme opportunities in Burundi. You can read about her first impressions here >>


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