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EAB Press - July 2011
Jul 10, 2011
ARCHBISHOP APPEALS TO UK GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF BURUNDI
On the 5th July the Archbishop, the Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi, gave
evidence at the Parliamentary International Development Select
Committee's enquiry into the UK government's decision to end its
bilateral aid programme for Burundi and close the DFID office in
Bujumbura in March 2012.
He appealed to the UK government to reconsider its decision arguing that
even though the 12 million pound programme might appear small compared
to the global aid given by the UK it was a significant amount for a
country that is one of the poorest and most vulnerable in the world as
it emerges out of conflict.
He refuted the idea that the population of Burundi would not suffer from
the decision and pleaded that Burundi should not be made an "aid
orphan". He maintained that loss of aid could have a domino effect in
the region and send a negative message to others.
The valuable experience and expertise of DFID would be a great loss to
the country. The notion of looking for other donors would be difficult
because they already have their programmes and the hope that Burundi
might trade its way out of poverty through "Trade Mark East Africa" – an
initiative to increase trade and commerce within the region,
part-funded by the UK - would not be a foregone conclusion.
Along with the Anglican Alliance for Development, Relief, and Advocacy
within the Anglican Communion who facilitated the Archbishop's visit,
the Anglican Church of Burundi will continue to mediate for the country
in order to secure future support.
HOPE FOR A COMMUNITY
We have previously reported the plight of people living in the Province
of Kirundo in the north of Burundi who have suffered from drought and
famine. Now there is good news.
The Province has been working with a pilot project supported by
Episcopal Relief and Development to help a target group of 200 families
to find a way forward. Each family received 10kg of beans to plant last
season. Sufficient rain produced a harvest per family of about 100kg.
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| Families storing seeds. |
This has meant that people can store seeds for the next planting and
have enough to eat. Members of the project are encouraged because they
neither have to go to neighbouring Rwanda to buy food and seeds nor do
they have to seek credits in order to survive.
A training programme is promoting good working practice that is being shared as a model for other communities.
FAREWELL AND WELCOME
Following the end of the education project supported by Irish Aid
through CMS Ireland in partnership with Lambeth Palace the Provincial
office said farewell to the Rev. Pascal Bigirimana who has been
responsible for coordinating it.
The project has included the reconstruction and construction of
classrooms and facilities for primary and secondary schools, support for
head teachers, and the development of a curriculum for moral and
religious education at primary level.
Rev. Pascal Bigirimana has had a long involvement with the Province and
was previously Provincial Secretary. The staff of the Provincial office
is grateful for all he has contributed to the work of the Province and
wishes him well as he continues his ministry in other areas.
Andre Bizoza joined the staff at the beginning of July as a consultant
from Solidarite Protestante Belge to support the monitoring and
evaluation of the HIV/AIDS programmes.
IN BRIEF
The Province welcomed Stephen Lyon on behalf of the Overseas Bishoprics
Fund that particularly supports the work of the bishops of the Province.
The diocese of Muyinga has a new website that is found at: www.anglicanchurchmuyinga.moonfruit.com
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| A pilot group sharing experiences. |
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