Why Burundi?

Justice and charity call us to serve those in greatest need. As of 2024, Burundi is the poorest country in the entire world. The annual income of a person in Burundi has been about $250. Burundi has a violent past, marked by continuing crises between ethnic groups and religions, and ongoing conflicts over the land. Conflicts have often erupted between the three main ethnic groups: Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. Hundreds of thousands have been killed in civil war.

Burundi shares borders with Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania. Lake Tanganyika, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, serves as the southwestern border. Many of the people of Burundi live in rural places. The largest cities are Bujumbura and Gitega.

Dr. Emmanuel Katongole, a priest from Uganda, knows the realities of Africa and seeks answers to key questions about violence in Africa, particularly in places like Rwanda and Burundi. He has looked for ways to create something new in Africa. In his work, we see a call for a new movement of Spirit that enables people to cross boundaries and form a new human family based on love of God and neighbor. We are all called to create a new future. Part of this journey involves finding our place in a new community—an ever-enlarging “We”. When we learn to see both ourselves and others in a new identity—as divine gift—we can be more present to the poor and vulnerable.

Where have there been success stories in Africa? One comes from Benin. When Fr. Nzamujo learned that 400,000 Ethiopians were dying of famine, he left the University of California at Irvine to take on the triple challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment. He founded the Songhai Center, which trains youth in sustainable and organic farming and business creation skills. They learn about sustainable and inter-connected crop production, livestock and aquaculture. Songhai Center has a technology park where farm machinery is produced, and service units including a restaurant, lodging, an internet café and a market. Over thirty thousand people have been trained and returned to their home communities to break the trap of poverty in Africa. The United Nations has recognized the Songhai Center as a Regional Center of Excellence. Now there are centers in fifteen countries in Africa. For more information, visit:

Songhai.org