Let the Children Come!
Let the children come so the school campuses will no longer be silent! September 14 was day one of the first trimester for schools in Burundi. Students do not all arrive at the boarding schools at the same time. Logistics such as transportation have an immense impact on when enrollment is complete. Kanura School for the Blind and Ephphatha Deaf School are both inclusive schools. Hearing and sighted students join their deaf or blind classmates in the classroom as day students. Only a few inclusive students live in the dorms; primarily for lack of space. It’s a blessing to see the campus come alive with the students but also the dedicated teachers and staff who take on the challenge of creating a “home away from home” environment.
Most of the children do not have mattresses, sheets, mosquito nets or soap to wash their clothes while at home for the 2 month summer holiday. Dorm life does have a positive side! Students have all of this in addition to enjoying 3 regular meals each day. The first few days they are busy reuniting with classmates. Pray they will be equally as excited to get back in the classroom and continue their studies.
Afternoon Club programs will resume in October giving opportunities for them to engage in Bible teaching, sport, music, drama and dance. Ephphatha will soon have it’s new solar power system, complements of the faithful ministry partners who gave above and beyond the $8000 goal. It should be operational by October 1. Kanura will begin using the new irrigation system this trimester which will increase their harvests for the food program.
Continue to pray for the people of Burundi. A poor economy continues to plummet. The exchange rate is rising. Fuel shortages are the source of many of the economic issues. Power outages and water shortages are more prevalent. Daily life continues but for those who lean on the strength of the Lord, they find the glimmers of joy. Such as: a brief rain shower to cool the ground. A kind neighbor helping to repair a bicycle. A gift of fabric from a ladies group to an elderly widow. Small children’s laugher playing soccer with a ball made from old rags.
Pray for the children who continue to arrive at their home away from home!
God Bless!
Susan May, Co-Founder Burundi Hope Project
“Pre-School” Days
Copy books in the box!! Copy books in the chair! Copy books on the table! Copy books everywhere!
Something new this year for the students: “ Sonshine Bags” filled with personal care items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and towels! It takes time to find suppliers to fill enough bags for 350 students! The team has been buying supplies all summer!
Getting ready to feed 200 students hot breakfast! Fortified porridge prepared by loving hands! It starts with Mama Bwenge and her “special porridge recipe”…then to the cooks…finally to the table!
Finally…they arrive!
Settling into the dorms! Preparing to learn more about their world! Re-engaging with friends and teachers!
Pray with us as the students launch into a new school year. Pray for the teachers who pour into all the students whether blind, deaf , hearing or sighted. Pray most of all that they all see Jesus through the work of the Burundi Hope Project as we work with our Burundian partners. We are grateful for your partnership!
