ActionAid began work in Burundi in 1976 and now works in some of the most conflict-prone parts of the country.
Our work focuses on peace building, helping displaced people return to their homes and improving poor people’s ability to respond to emergencies. We also provide training and information on HIV/AIDS, and we work with local organisations to support and care for thousands of people with AIDS and their families.
Child sponsorship in Burundi
Sponsor a child in Burundi, Africa
Sponsorship gives Emelyne the courage to keep going to school. “Whenever I’m invited to write a message to my sponsor, I hear my heart beat quicker than it does normally,” said 11-year-old Emelyne Bukeyeneza.
“When I am writing a message, I feel I have not been forgotten, I understand that I have value. Definitely, I know there are people who think about me. This gives me the courage to keep going to school.”
ActionAid sponsors have helped many other children like Emelyne stay in school throughout Burundi.
Health and Education in Burundi
Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Recent internal conflict resulted in more than 200,000 people being killed and an estimated 250,000 people displaced within the country. At least a further 700,000 refugees fled to neighbouring countries. Agriculture has been badly affected, and poverty and the spread of HIV/AIDS has increased. Only half of children go to school.
Thanks to sponsorships, ActionAid has formed 27 women’s associations. These have supported the rebuilding of 700 homes and helped establish livelihood projects including raising poultry and improving farming. This is helping families to meet the needs of their children, providing the income to feed them and send them to school.
How you can help
When you sponsor a child in Burundi, you'll be providing the resources for real, long-term change. You'll get two letters a year from the child you sponsor, and updates from the country programme to tell you how the money you are spending is changing the community your child lives in.
