Burundi Gatare Bookfeeding
Our first library in Burundi is run by the local charity ASODECOM (Action Solidaire pour le Developement Communautaire) and was established in 2020. This library was constructed during the covid-19 pandemic and as such did not yet have much time to fully establish with the community around - frequent lockdowns and challenges related to transportation of books took its tolls. Oscar, the local Bookfeeder in charge is a hard working man who works tirelessly to bring more opportunities to the community and it was him who never gave up despite all the challenges.
Gatare is a small village not far from the town of Ngozi. 54% of the people living in Gatare are very young (10-24 years) and have very limited access to higher education. High percantage of adults is illiterate and therefore cannot help the children with learning. Gatare is a farming community and we hope that we can offer various workshops to support and motivate youth to study and learn new skills which they can use in their community. We plan to organize various workshops for the farmers to improve their livelihoods - currently we are exploring the option of utilisation of banana fiber and sun-drying mangoes.
One more plan is also to open a kindergarden in the library so mothers can leave their kids and work while their children are taken care of.
Interested in volunteering in Burundi?
Are you interested in permaculture, agroforestry or improving and modernizing farming techniques? Would you like to help us organize workshops on extending the shelve-life of foods? Come and volunteer to Gatare! The Nyandwi family is happy to welcome foreign volunteers who would like to share their knowledge and skills in the library.
The community is planning English courses as well as workshops on agriculture, fishing, agribusiness and digital marketing.
The library is opened daily. Students and adults can borrow books and take them home. For a period of two weeks they will have time to read them and return them to the library.
People at the Project
Rubin Nyandwi
Rubin Nyandwi is a father of four children, one of whom is adopted. He lives with his wife Anitha, who is a journalist, in the Muremera district. Rubin is a strategic planning consultant and human rights defender. He will spend some of his time managing the Gatare community library with the help of local volunteers.
Oscar Ndayisenga
Oscar Ndayisenga is an experienced entrepreneur and civil rights activist. He is a father of two girls and married to Julienne, who is a nurse. Oscar is a very friendly person who enjoys computer science and engineering.
Neophite Bigirimana
Neophite Bigirimana is an teacher, married to a nurse and has three children. He works for the well-being of all and is happy to help wherever he can. He has worked as an English teacher for 10 years and lives 8 km from the library. He enjoys playing basketball with others and can give volunteers tips on how and where to spend their free time. Neophite loves to read books, play droom and do research online. He likes to spend his free time with his family.
Current Needs: Books
Start of the project: April 2020
Languages: Kirundi, French, Kiswahili, English
Accepting volunteers: Yes
Local Partner: ASODECOM (Action Solidaire pour le Developpement Communautaire)
BURUNDI GATARE
Oscar NDAYISENGA
Representative of ASODECOM GATARE KINYAMI NGOZI COMMUNIE NGOZI PROVINCE +25779755369 /sengoscar@gmail.com BURUNDI