Burundi: Building Classrooms and Responding to Crisis with Community-Led Action

In Burundi, education and survival are deeply interconnected, and local communities are stepping up to protect both.

Expanding Gasakuza Primary School
As student enrollment continues to grow at Gasakuza Primary School, overcrowded classrooms have made learning increasingly difficult. In response, World Faith Burundi launched a school extension and renovation project in August 2025 to improve learning conditions and create space for more students.

The project includes three new classrooms, school offices, sanitation facilities, and clean water access. From the start, it has been a collaborative effort: teachers, parents, community members, local authorities, and the Bujumbura World Faith team working together to meet a shared need.

To date, construction is well underway. Foundations, walls, and roofing for the new classrooms are complete, and clean water installation is in progress. Teachers and community leaders have expressed excitement about the additional teaching spaces, while parents note how the project has strengthened community unity and pride.

Still, challenges remain. Limited funding has delayed material procurement, and essential components, such as classroom furniture, sanitation blocks, doors, windows, and paved walkways, have yet to be completed.

Supporting Families Displaced by Flooding
While working to expand educational access, World Faith Burundi has also responded to urgent humanitarian needs. In Gatumba, flooding displaced dozens of families, prompting the launch of an emergency food support program in September 2025.

Through strong coordination with local authorities, Food for the Hungry Canada, and community volunteers, the program has reached 75 families with food assistance, along with nutrition and hygiene education. Beneficiaries shared that the support arrived at a time when food was completely unavailable, and mothers reported improved health outcomes for their children.

As flooding continues, demand has grown. Eighty-two additional families have since registered for support, placing pressure on limited resources and volunteers, but collaboration and commitment remain strong.

Looking Forward
These efforts highlight the power of community-led action. From building classrooms brick by brick to ensuring families can eat during crisis, World Faith Burundi is walking alongside communities as they rebuild and recover.

With additional funding and partnerships, these initiatives can be completed and sustained, eventually transforming temporary relief into long-term opportunity.