For those of you not familiar with the African continent, here is a map.
Burundi and Rwanda are those tiny countries in the center of Africa next to the long skinny water body (Lake Tanganyika), between Tanzania and The Democratic Republic of the Congo. This part of Africa has been ravaged by civil war and genocide for many long years, and people and the countryside bear the scars of the conflict even today. The world is aware of the genocide in Rwanda a little more than 10 years ago, but the same people groups also live in Burundi and the Congo and the Eastern parts of Tanzania. Many millions of people throughout the region have been killed, and many still remain in refugee camps.
While in Burundi, I spoke at a women's conference one afternoon. I mentioned some ways women can help children learn - reading to them, talking to them about colors, shapes, natural objects, and so on. The response was a surprise. In a country where 46% of the just over 8 million people who comprise the population is under 16 according to the CIA World Factbook, education is a huge challenge. More than 68% of the population are living in poverty.
The president, Mr. Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005) faces huge challenges. His government is still under constant attack from rebels. In fact, the week before we arrived in the capital, Bujumbura, rebels lobbed a series of missiles into the city.
I was privileged to meet the first lady of Burundi, who attended the conference. She is an elegant and highly intelligent and thoughtful lady. There is a good possibility that I will return to Burundi in the near future to share more about education with these courageous women. In the photo to the right I am standing next to the first lady, with my daughter Christelle on her other side.
Next time, more about Rwanda.
