Healing the Wounds of War

Everyone has a civil war survival story in Karuzi Province, Burundi—especially the children. Most of them tell of running into the hills, living from hand to mouth, losing their parents and being forced to live in government “regroupment camps.” And then, finally, they tell of going home to find their homes destroyed and belongings stolen.

Today, the 20,000 houses destroyed during the war must be rebuilt. Lives must be rebuilt as well: the lives of single women who “adopted” orphans they met in the regroupment camp; teenage heads of households who are trying to keep younger siblings alive; couples who have lost their children to sickness and starvation.

The story of 15-year-old Vyamungu Minani, documented by World Vision beginning in 1998, illustrates the plight of the children. Thieves had stolen everything in his house. His only possessions were the clothes on his back, a small clay cooking pot and a bed made of sticks. The neighbors called him a “parasite” because he wasn’t producing any food. Through tears, he explained that he didn’t know how to plant his fields.

This is why Habitat for Humanity and World Vision are involved in a disaster-response partnership designed to rebuild shelter for hundreds of people quickly.

While World Vision provides infrastructure and government and community contacts, Habitat provides the know-how. The result is quick delivery of houses for people in need.

However, it is not “relief” work. The intention is to stabilize the community so families can resume their usual standard of living. The houses are constructed of durable materials with wooden doors and windows, and an iron-sheet roof.

In Karuzi, 730 houses have been rebuilt in a year. Habitat for Humanity provided an international partner, the cost of some materials and construction expertise; organized the project; and taught local government and World Vision personnel how to carry out the massive reconstruction program. To offset costs, World Vision personnel solicited donations from the governments of Canada, Ireland and Burundi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Medecins San Frontieres.

By September 1999, World Vision started seed multiplication activities on Minani’s land. The World Food Program provided two months worth of food for work for a group of his neighbors to reopen the land after years of lying fallow. In place of being paid rent for the land, Minani asked for help to repair his house. Habitat/World Vision helped him rebuild and in two months he had a sturdy, secure Habitat house.

In a new phase of the partnership, an additional 225 houses will be completed this year. Irish Aid has donated roofing sheets, Habitat will fund some materials and World Vision will provide the infrastructure.

Today, World Vision reports that Minani is a more confident young man. He is no longer a “parasite,” but is becoming a respected member of the community and has gained prestige from the seed multiplication activities. He has planted his own field of sweet potatoes and beans. On the two hectares of land there are now fields of peanuts, maize and beans. He has a decent house. The hope he feels has replaced his tears with a big smile.


--Tilly Grey





Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, October/November 2000.
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©2000 Habitat for Humanity International