About Burundi
Over the last few decades, the war has caused the death of over 300,000 people, left the economy in ruins, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
The recent ceasefire with the last remaining rebel group (the Palipehutu-FNL) has sparked renewed hope for peace, but such ceasefires have previous fallen apart because of communities failing to re-integrate former combatants and failing to address economic, health, and psychological problems plaguing the overall country.
About Kamenge
Kamenge is a small town 5 km north of the capital city of Bujumbura with an estimated 40,000 inhabitants. Throughout Burundi’s history of violence
and genocide, Kamenge has consistently been a main theater of violence. The local population suffered from terrible atrocities and many were displaced. The legacy of the war in this community includes:
- HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS prevalence in Kamenge is estimated at 16% (compared to the national average of 3%)
- Lack of food security and rising food prices
- Lack of access to clean drinking water
- Lack of appropriate, local health care
- Psychosocial trauma from the war
- Stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS and of the people of Kamenge as a whole
- Sexual Violence
- Increased levels of poverty and deprivation
The challenges faced by the people of Kamenge are considerable. Yet they are also a proud, resilient, and caring people who urgently want to rebuild their lives, to care for each other, and to create a better future.