Burundi

Programme Summary

The planting of 1,000,000 trees during 2009 in four provinces of Burnundi represented breakthrough partnerships between Hutu and Tutsi men, women and children, overcoming profound historical, political and ethnic conflicts. Starting from absolutely nothing, but with a hope, a dream in mind, this critical mission to restore peace and prosperity via integration, education, the reclaiming and restoring of land and the generation of food and income. More than 100,000 in no less than five provinces will benefit from the planting as these trees will enhance much needed nutrition.

Partners Network

Church of the Redeemer

Background

Burundi is one of the most impoverished nations in Africa, with an average annual income of less than £65. Throughout the eighties and nineties the ethnic conflicts between the Hutus and Tustsi and declining natural resources crippled the country. The Aids epidemic also left the country with 50% of the population aged under 14 years of age. The devastated environment in Burundi is a reflection of a long history of ethnic conflicts and poor land management. 90% of the rural Burundi community rely on agriculture to sustain their lives. However, with land held by small farmers and 95 % of the land under no land protection, coupled with rampant deforestation that resulted in serious soil erosion, nutrient poor soils, and decreased water resources there seems to be little hope. Burundi’s wildlife diversity is also threatened.  Many species are considered endangered, including the magnificent mountain gorillas in the highlands.

The healthy, future development of Burundi both practically and technically looks bleak. Its current development is being further slowed by climatic events including drought, fires and torrential rains which cause flooding and landslides.
Partnering organisations are committed to combating these issue

The Response

Small community reforestation projects began in Burundi in 1996. Partnering organisations approach in 2008 was to utilise trees and reclaim barren and wasted land help the starving people to cultivate and provide food for themselves and sustain a living from the land.  The conflicts that had been present for many, many years have been encouraged to be part of the past and the focus has been on bringing people, communities and cultures to together. Moringa oleifera, a nutritious vegetable tree has been the main planting to provide food particularly for young infants.  In a country where 57% of these young children are aged under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, “The miracle tree” boasts twice the calcium as milk and four times as much Vitamin A (which prevents blindness). The project has also been successful in bringing the long conflicting Hutu and Tutsi together as a staff team and by supplying community training in non-violent communication.  Education continues in the form of agro forestry technologies and sustainable agriculture production. The Burundian society is building, and bringing hope to once extremely trouble communities.

The vision in February 2008 was to promote peace and prosperity through the planting of trees. A desperate situation was finally given some hope throughout 2008. The once degraded land echoing a history of political and ethnic political turmoil began to see some light. In the four provinces of Ruyigi, Gitega, Bururi, and Citoke over 250,000 trees were planted.  It will also support the people in reclaiming land and motivate them to provide an income for themselves and for generations to come. Training will be provided in establishing and maintaining tree nurseries and will be spread across communities so the people can continue to learn, and the project fulfils its goals.