Stable and secure housing for indigenous women in Gahombo Village is a dream come true. In Burundi, many Batwa families live in makeshift grass shelters. These shelters are extremely susceptible to the elements, fires, and heavy rains.
Every family in Gahombo imagines the day they might have a safe and sturdy home of their own. Thanks to generous gifts from African Road supporters, a partnership with 2Roofs realtors, and a special grant to provide roofing when a brick home is completed, funding was provided for nine families to have secure and safe houses built.
Changemaker Evariste Ndikumana, along with his leadership team ASSEJEBA, met with the people of Gahombo to make an important decision. The village members would determine who would be first to receive brick houses. Together they chose nine women who have been widowed and are caring for children.
Césalie Mutenga and her grandchildren (seen in the above image) are the most recent beneficiaries of this life changing initiative. They are rejoicing over their new house and the significant step forward toward health, security, and peace of mind. Césalie shared:
“When I had a straw hut it did not even have a door. During the night, we used to keep the fire burning in the house to warm the hut and I was afraid it would catch fire and we would all die in it. I slept with fear in my stomach all night, always thinking about what would happen if the hut caught fire at night when I and my children were sleeping inside it. I am now totally free from stress and fear.”
Césalie and her seven grandchildren now live in her new house. The security of a brick home brings the whole family peace of mind and hope for the future.
As of September 2021, eight of the nine widowed women and their families have moved into their brick homes. Funding for the ninth house was received in September. This means, Necelatte Nyandwia—a 45-year old mother of four, who lost her husband to cancer—will soon move into a new brick home with her children. They are all excited for this transition into safe and secure housing.
Necelatte Nyandwi and two of her children, in front of their grass shelter.
Evariste and ASSEJEBA have a long-term vision to see more Batwa people experience improved health, community stability, and freedom from fear, in safe, sturdy housing. African Road stands with our Batwa partners in supporting the significance of land and home ownership, and in working to see more dreams come true.