By Natsuki Iida | Member of Advocacy Team
To all of you who have always supported us, here is the latest report on the Empowerment Project in Burundi!
Background: In Burundi, which has been heavily affected by conflict and climate change and ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, we began our operations in 2013. We provide skill training to the most vulnerable groups such as single mothers, conflict victims, street children and people in extreme poverty, so that they can make their own lives.
In Burundi, we have been implementing a 'Resilience enhancement project for socially vulnerable households through livelihood improvement by briquettes production and raising awareness of complex risks' since this year.
This project involves upcycling agricultural waste such as discarded corn cobs into briquettes (charcoal briquettes). Through the production and sales of these briquettes, we aim to support the self-reliance of the most vulnerable groups.
Construction of the facility began in April, and finally, the new vocational training center is (almost) complete! And right away, vocational training has started for a small business group that will sell the manufactured briquettes.
When we interviewed the participants about what they are learning and how they feel since the training started, they gave us these responses:
"Before participating in this training, we lived scattered without any hope. But now, learning alongside others in similar vulnerable situations gives us hope for the future. We can believe that our future will be better.
Thank you for accepting us. We are grateful for the opportunity you have given us. May God bless you all."
In Burundi, price inflation and fuel shortages persist, a situation that has been ongoing for several years now. With this situation persisting for several years now, even we honestly sometimes feel like we don't see any positive signs for the future of this country. However, hearing their stories about their strong determination to carve out their own livelihoods even in such circumstances, it was a time when we felt encouraged instead.
From now on, the training will begin in earnest. We will closely support each of the 64 people we have accepted this year on their journey towards self-reliance.
Links:
By Natsuki Iida | Member of Advocacy Team
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