Peace and Reconciliation Burundi Project #58701

Empower the most vulnerable people in Burundi

by Terra Renaissance

Empower the most vulnerable people in Burundi

Project Report | May 30, 2025
Project Report: From Waste to Worth: The Briquette

By Ai Igarashi | Member of Advocacy Team

We have launched the “Briquette Project” in the Kayanza region of Burundi, a small country in Africa. This new initiative aims to foster community self-reliance and environmental protection.

Project Background and Objectives

Burundi has faced prolonged conflict and poverty, forcing many people to endure difficult living conditions. Securing daily food and fuel is a significant challenge, especially in rural areas. We aim to strengthen the resilience of people living under these circumstances, empowering them to cope with the complex risks they face in their daily lives.

This project is different from aid that simply provides supplies; it aims to create a sustainable system that enables local residents to improve their lives through their own efforts. We're not just providing supplies - we're building resilience and creating opportunities for long-term change. Its main objectives are as follows:

Strengthening beneficiary resilience: We aim to provide a stable source of income and fortify their livelihoods.
Addressing complex life risks: We seek to mitigate the impact of fluctuating fuel prices and climate change.
Balancing environmental protection and economic support: We strive to achieve both the effective use of waste materials and the creation of new income opportunities.

Project Overview

The heart of our project lies in transforming what was once considered waste into a valuable resource. Specifically, we collect previously unutilised maize waste, such as stalks and husks left after harvest, and process it into eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. These briquettes serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood charcoal for cooking fuel. A crucial outcome of this initiative is the creation of new income sources for project participants through the sale of these briquettes. To scale up these efforts and ensure their sustainability, a new dedicated facility for this purpose is currently under construction.

How You Can Fuel This Project

We are at a pivotal moment. The new facility in Kayanza is taking shape, but to make it fully operational and expand our reach, we urgently need your support. Your donation will directly contribute to:

Completing the new training and production facility: Ensuring we have a dedicated, safe space for briquette production.
Purchasing necessary equipment: Providing tools and machinery for efficient briquette making.
Training more community members: Empowering more families with skills to create and sell briquettes.
Expanding our reach: Allowing us to bring this sustainable solution to even more people in need in Burundi.

Your generous donation, no matter the size, will directly fuel this transformative project. Help us turn waste into wealth, protect the environment, and empower communities in Burundi to thrive.

Please, consider making a gift today! Your generosity can transform waste into worth, and challenges into opportunities.

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May 20, 2025
Empowering Self-Reliance in Karamoja

By Channie Cheung | Member of Advocacy Team

In Uganda's Karamoja region, our focus has evolved from immediate food assistance to fostering sustainable self-reliance within communities. We are committed to empowering individuals and groups to build resilient livelihoods and improve their well-being for the long term.

Since FY2024, our project has centered on three core pillars:

Agricultural Development & Food Security: We support communities in enhancing their farming techniques for both vegetables (like tomatoes, Sukuma Wiki, onions, and new crops such as watermelon and pumpkin) and staple grains (maize and beans). This includes providing quality seeds, technical training, and crucial support for planting, harvesting, and marketing. We are actively helping farmers secure stable buyers, promoting diversified income, and strengthening local food systems.
Nutrition Improvement: Beyond just increasing food production, we emphasize improving dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes for families, especially vulnerable groups.
Cooperative & Organizational Strengthening: We facilitate the formation and growth of local cooperatives, enabling farmers to collectively manage resources, share knowledge, and access markets more effectively. This collaborative approach builds community resilience and economic stability.

Additionally, we are actively developing aquaculture activities as a new avenue for livelihood diversification. This involves repairing and maintaining essential infrastructure, and providing specialized training to equip local staff and community members with the skills needed for successful fish farming.

Through these integrated efforts, we are working hand-in-hand with the people of Karamoja to cultivate not just crops, but also a future of independence and prosperity. Your contributions are vital to enabling these critical initiatives and making a lasting difference.

Why Your Support is Critical Now

The dry season is long, and the impacts of climate change are intensifying, making every planting season a critical window of opportunity. The people of Karamoja are ready to work, to learn, and to build a better future for themselves and their children. Your investment now will provide the essential tools, training, and support they need to seize these opportunities, transform their land, and secure a brighter tomorrow.

Your Donation's Impact: Real Change, Tangible Results

Every dollar you contribute goes directly to empowering families in Karamoja. We are committed to transparency and ensuring your generosity creates lasting change:

$10 provides a packet of high-yield vegetable seeds, capable of feeding a family for months.
$25 supports hands-on agricultural training for one farmer, equipping them with life-changing sustainable skills.
$50 helps establish a new fish pond, diversifying income and food sources for an entire household.
$100 strengthens a local cooperative, empowering dozens of farmers to achieve collective economic independence.

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Jan 30, 2025
Together, We Step into a Bright 2025

By Misa Ito | Member of Advocacy Team

Our Staffs from Burundi Office

Dear Supporters,

As we step into 2025, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. The past year has shown us the extraordinary power of community, and because of you, we’ve made remarkable strides toward our shared mission of transformation.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Let’s dive into what our project secretary at the Burundi office has in store for the project’s exciting goals in 2025!

“In the coming year, we aim to empower our beneficiaries to achieve independence and build fulfilling lives. Many started in challenging situations—rejected by families or facing isolation—but through our support, they’ve found joy, confidence, and acceptance within their communities.

This year, our focus will be on encouraging their growth, especially women, by helping them develop their businesses, increase their productivity, and believe in their potential. Whether starting small businesses, manufacturing briquettes, or pursuing other endeavors, we’ll continue to guide them toward self-sufficiency with pride and purpose”

Your belief in our mission inspires us daily to push boundaries and create hope where it once seemed impossible.

We’ll resume sharing updates on the projects in a few weeks, so stay tuned!

How You Can Help

Your generosity is the driving force behind our success, and there are many ways to stay involved in 2025:

Be the Change: Your support, no matter the amount, makes an incredible difference. Donate today to help us create lasting impact.
Learn More: Curious about how we’re making a difference? Read our story here (Website) and here (Instagram) and see the impact firsthand.
Join the Movement: Share our mission with your friends, family, and community. Together, we can reach even more people in need!

A Message from Our Project Secretary

“I want to share my heartfelt gratitude with you. Every time I see the people we’ve supported living happily, I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness. Many of them started in incredibly difficult circumstances, but with your help, they’ve been able to transform their lives in remarkable ways.

Words can’t fully capture how much of a difference your support has made. One thing is certain: countless lives are better because of you. Thank you for everything.”

(We’ll be posting her full interview on Medium soon—don’t miss it! )

Here’s to another year of making a difference—together.

Warm wishes,
Terra Renaissance

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