L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P ... Leadership

For 18 years, FVS-AMADE BURUNDI "ABAGENZI B'ABANA" has directly assisted orphans and other vulnerable children. But in 2010, the non-profit organization adopted «Nawe N’uze», an approach to move from humanitarian assistance to sustainable human development. Through solidarity groups composed mainly of guardians of orphans and other vulnerable children, this approach promotes the creation and development of income-generating activities. Members of solidarity groups realize savings to finance their income-generating activities as well as a solidarity fund. Through this system of savings, solidarity groups also fund school kits for orphans and other vulnerable children in their communities.

With the support of the Swiss Cooperation Office, FVS-AMADE BURUNDI "ABAGENZI B'ABANA" has implemented a project to strengthen the economic capacity and community leadership of members of these solidarity groups. It is within this framework that a literacy peer program was initiated. This program also includes modules on entrepreneurship, community leadership and peaceful conflicts resolution.

In Burundi, the adult literacy is a major capacity-building challenge as the literacy rate is less than 50%. Furthermore, solidarity groups are made up to 70% of women and rare are those who know how to read and write. Rosalie Barakamfitiye, a woman in her seventies, has raised her brother’s three children after his death. Later, she also took care of one of his grandchildren. Today, she is happy to be part of a solidarity group as it allows her to meet the basic needs of these children. She is enthusiastically learning to read, write and count so that she will properly overlook at her savings and soon start a business.

Today, 783 members have already benefited from this program within 13 literacy centers located in Rohero, Musaga, Kanyosha and Kabezi.

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