There is much celebration and joy happening in Burundi, as remarkable progress with the construction of brick houses is being made in the indigenous Batwa village of Gahombo.
Most families in the indigenous villages of Gahombo, Ndava, and Mwendo, live in makeshift grass shelters. While traditional and beautiful, these structures are extremely susceptible to the elements, particularly fires and heavy rains, which leave the Batwa with vulnerable shelter requiring time and resources to rebuild.
The building of sturdy, brick homes brings powerful impact, long-term security, and protection, for ongoing community progress.
The community of Gahombo, dancing in celebration for the tangible progress and provision of beautiful brick houses.
Safe and dignifying housing for the Batwa has been a hope and important goal for Changemaker Evariste and his indigenous leadership team (ASSEJEBA) for some years. Eight years of partnership between ASSEJEBA and African Road has powerfully equipped these three villages with improved access to education, health insurance, and farming capacity. And now, Evariste, ASSEJEBA, and African Road are able to take a strategic step forward with a home construction initiative.
Funding for the first homes began in the village of Gahombo in 2021. Village residents were invited to decide who would receive the first brick houses, and the people chose to prioritize housing for nine women who are widowed with children. Since then, a total of 17 brick homes have been built, bringing continued hope and increased stability to these women and other families in Gahombo. The six most recent houses were completed just in the last month!
With improved protection from the elements, and a dry place to store their belongings and sleep at night, these brick homes are a significant step toward healthier, safer lives for the Batwa. Only 12 more houses are needed to equip the entire village with secure homes.
A beautiful, recently-completed brick house.
One of the most recent recipients of a brick home is Thomas Muhungu (age 39), married to Suzane Ntahombaye (age 32), and their two children, who were joyfully anticipating this step forward. This family and their community worked together to level and prepare the ground for the new building, right in front of their small grass and tarp hut. The new house will provide ample space and security for their whole family.
Thomas and Suzane with their two kids, standing on the building plot for their new brick house.
Steadfast partnership and friends of African Road made this progress possible. With 29 households in Gahombo, these 18 brick houses represent a notable step toward seeing every family in the village equipped with stable, brick housing. The security of a brick home brings the whole family peace of mind and hope for the future.