A Reflection from Burundi
It’s a unique time to travel when most people are staying at home. And the restrictions, testing, and quarantining for anyone traveling to Burundi are especially stringent.
Having lived most of my life in East Africa, it was very strange to smile at everyone from behind a mask, to not be able to greet people by hand and to not hold babies in churches. Yet I was able to learn so much during my trip about the wonderful work our partners are doing through literacy and savings groups.
In the span of a week, I had a chance to hear about the needs of church leaders in nine dioceses. We drove across the country, and I slept in a new place each night. I heard the inspirational stories of parents, including many widows who spoke about the transformation they’ve seen in their lives and in their families since joining literacy and savings groups. It was such a blessing to hear this, especially at the beginning of 2021.
Education and opportunity
One man who had not been educated as a child, but who became literate through the program, thanked our partners, thanked me, thanked Five Talents, thanked YOU, saying, “Thank you for thinking of us adults who have not had opportunities in life for education. Thank you for not forgetting about us, and for believing in us so that we have a chance to learn, a chance to change our lives, to provide for our children, and to have a future. Thank you for thinking of us!”
So, I share that gratitude with you, as you are part of his story, and you have helped to make it possible! Thank you!
I can’t wait to share more inspirational stories in the weeks to come!
-Maria Owen is the Program Manager for Five Talents USA.