Overcoming Crisis to Protect the Right to Education
In 2015, Burundi faced deep political uncertainty. Tensions, civil unrest, and regional instability caused massive population displacements, driving thousands to flee bordering provinces. Traveling across the countryside carried severe risks, leaving remote communities more isolated than ever.
Yet, it was precisely during this fragile chapter that ADRA Burundi, supported by the benevolent gaze of the Almighty and a powerful partnership with ADRA Slovenia, stood firm. Our goal? To protect a child’s fundamental right to a quality education and a childhood free from violence.
We are thrilled to share the final milestone of the Sarutoke Fundamental School (Giharo School) construction project in the Kabingo hill district of Rutana Province!
Project Snapshot:
• Location: Kabingo Hill, Giharo Commune, Rutana Province
• Funding Partner: ADRA Slovenia (110,000 Euro)
• Infrastructure: 9 Classrooms, 1 Admin Block, 2 Sanitation Blocks
• Impact: 300+ Students per school year
More Than Bricks and Mortar: A Complete Learning Haven
Before our intervention, the designated plot on Kabingo Hill was nothing but vacant brush.
Today, thanks to meticulous planning and budget management, ADRA Burundi transformed the landscape into a fully functional educational sanctuary:
- 9 Classrooms: Outperforming our initial target of 6 classrooms, optimized spending allowed us to build 3 additional rooms. Each is outfitted with student desks, teacher workstations, and dual blackboards.
- Administration Block: Built adjacent to the classrooms, providing organized spaces for the headmaster, school secretary, and a school library.
- WASH & Hygiene Facilities: Two fully operational, four-door latrine blocks (separated for boys and girls) equipped with fresh water taps connected directly to local pipelines to encourage lifelong handwashing habits.
To ensure students started their academic journeys on equal footing, ADRA distributed school uniforms to every student, alongside core subject teacher guides and specialized handbooks on human rights.
“We are indebted to ADRA Burundi and the Government of Slovenia for having thought of Sarutoke, a very isolated area with less school infrastructure… The school has come as one of the ways to effectively address youth idleness and school dropout cases.”
— Mr. Bede, Governor of Rutana Province
Sowing the Seeds of Peace and Protection
A school building is only as strong as the community filling it. In remote, rural areas, hidden barriers like early marriages, ignorance of child protection laws, and institutional gaps can hinder a child’s academic future.
To address this, ADRA Burundi organized a comprehensive two-day training workshop. Teachers, the school headmaster, and parent representatives gathered to study Children’s Rights, Conflict Prevention, and the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Through interactive group sessions, brainstorming, and case-study reviews, the training brought transformative light to the community. By the end of the seminar, the school’s leadership committed to drafting an official school bylaw to standardize fair treatment, protect children from unjust punishments, and model healthy conflict resolution.
A Day of Celebration
The formal handover ceremony was a beautiful mosaic of local culture, traditional drumming, and immense community joy. National delegates from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined regional authorities and church leaders to officially open the door.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Mr. Anatole Niyonkuru shared an inspiring charge: “This is a well-built school that gives an excellent opportunity to children of this area to attend school. Take care of this school as your own infrastructure.”
As the children of Kabingo step into their new classrooms, they are not just entering a building—they are walking into a brighter, safer future. We extend our deepest gratitude to ADRA Slovenia, the communal authorities of Giharo, and our courageous field staff who proved that even in times of crisis, hope can be built.
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