Field trip to the Batwa community in Gitega, Burundi

Field trip to the Batwa community in Gitega, Burundi

Tuesday September, 08th 2021 in the afternoon, the local Board of ONE visited the Batwa community of Gitega in Zega. 

Around 40 community members were there and they were amazed to see the team from ONE. With more expectations, they were eager to hear what we were about to talk to them and they were more than ready to start their businesses when they get supported.

Innocent Niyongabo started by showing them that there is no difference between Batwa and others because we were all created in the image of God, in other words they should value and love themselves because God loves them more than they can think. He told them that there are characteristics that we share with God. 

He went on showing them that they have to stop and drop off some of the cultural behaviors that do not please God and those things that hinder community development. And he continued by encouraging them to keep working hard and to keep being in unity and oneness because God bless and work among the people who are really ONE.

After encouraging them, we took time to talk to them according to the groups they will be involved in and they are more than committed to achieving bigger than what people expect.

Activities ended in a mood of joy.

After those activities, we, as the board held a meeting to plan for the project and the timeframe of the project will be 6 months with a very close follow up to make sure that that community change completely to become a role model of other Batwa communities as they agreed to fight for that change.

Thank you

Jeremie Manirakiza 

#JSalum

#ASONE