Hello neighbours of Buterere!

Since the onset of the village page on Nabuur in 2006, a lot has happened. As you will see, I have updated the project room with new tasks. This is because the original task is complete! That is to say, the main project for “a space for healing, training and sharing” has taken off and is now called Buterere Community Development Centre. However, there are now a new set of tasks that we must help the community of Buterere to complete. Aside from the community centre, we have also added a project for a “higher school” and a pharmacy. Each of these has its own set of tasks that need to be completed. Please take a look at the project room to see where you can contribute.

Update on Buterere:
The Buterere Community Development Centre (BCDC) offers no cost services to the impoverished residents of Buterere. In a rented building, BCDC offers a place for healing and low cost, maximum impact activities including family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, leadership courses, nutritional education, arts programs etc. BCDC continues to plan and fundraise for a wider range of programs and more support for the local community. Through national and international partnerships, and with the support of online volunteers and local professional volunteers, the BCDC is moving forward.

Currently, the most important tasks for our village are to fundraise $750USD to secure the rent for the BCDC building and to maintain the programs being offered. We are searching for more ways to do this so any input would be greatly appreciated. One method which we require YOUR help to do, is to promote http://www.givemeaning.com/project/buterere. Any donations made at this site go directly to our project. If you have any suggestions on how to promote this website, please share with the group.

Another new project in the very beginning (planning) stages is the Buterere Pharmacy. This pharmacy will provide counseling, testing and care to residents of Buterere. It will be located in the same place as the school and aims to provide care to students and women and children. Please see the project room for tasks related to this project.

Through different organizations, including ASSAS-Burundi (http://www.healthwelfarework.org/en/index.html), our local representative Jean-Claude and other members of Buterere community are developing plans for creating a pre-university higher school to offer courses to students who may not have the funds necessary to obtain a higher education. This school will operate online courses and will provide in classroom learning to those who seek its services. In order to begin this project, we require funding to secure a location, after which courses can begin to be taught. Please see the project room for tasks related to this project.

As you will soon see, there is a lot happening in Buterere. Myself and Jean-Claude will do our best to keep everyone updated with everything that is happening in the village. We look forward to everyone’s input – there is a task for everyone in these projects!

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me or Jean-Claude – we will be happy to help!
Buterere Community Facilitator,
Anna Soper.