Gitega

We drive from Bujumbura to Gitega, over 110 kilometres away. SCIAF has organised a Leadership Seminar for partners from Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC at the Grand Seminary of John Paul II – one of the largest in the country. The five-day seminar features a number of workshops, including one led by my SCIAF colleague, Stephen Martin. I am heartened by the zeal and vigour of our partners. They are eager to learn, build up their skills and work as a team to improve the situation in the Great Lakes region.

On our penultimate day, we visit Agakura’s livelihoods project 30 kilometres from Gitega where we are welcomed with a traditional dance performance. Land is a scarce commodity in Burundi so it is important that farmers get the most from their plots. Agakura provides unemployed young people with agricultural training so that they can find work and grow enough to provide for themselves and their communities.