WATER IS LIFE
Nearly half the population does not have access to clean drinking water. Millions walk miles to fill containers with water from pits and other sources.
We work with government to construct community wells and distribution systems. A latrine initiative with Twa communities addresses health concerns of a marginalized group who have shown initiative in moving forward.
CLEAN WATER
Impact Burundi believes that “water is life.” Communities with completed water systems have demonstrated how those are the beginning of increased quality in all aspects of life. A goal to expand access to water from 1,000 program households in the program area region to close to 29,000 households is dependent on raising $150,000. You can be part of that initiative.
SANITATION
We responded to a request from 24 families from the Batwa community, a marginalized group that makes up only 1% Burundi’s population. The Batwa face more hunger than any other group in the country, but we listened to their needs: toilets to decrease the diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera that kill in the absence of covered facilities. Families dug holes, made bricks and constructed the toilets (known as latrines in Burundi).
COVID-19 RESPONSE
In spite of COVID-19, and the result of weekly virtual meetings, strong unity has developed in the team as they work together with communities. Staff member Alain shares "We are trusted and this helps to work with peace in our minds. Even when we make mistakes, we get treated fairly with respect and dignity."
Staff member Claude shares "The first thing that motivates me in my job is how BDS-IB leaders put participants’ interest first. I am not used to seeing that. What I am used to seeing and what seems common in our culture and in many organizations is that leaders put their own interest first. They take a big portion of the money that was supposed to help participants and use it for their interest. But that is not what I see here. Secondly, we are treated with respect and dignity with no gossip between employees as I see in other organization. We are not perfect, but when a mistake happens between us, we talk about them and resolve them ourselves.
About 1200 masks were delivered to new and existing community groups where women are also sewing masks for sale. This promotes safety in the community as well as income for those making them.