Project Burundi

Hope of Africa Mission NGO

For the past several years Burundi has been listed as one of the poorest countries, if not the poorest country in the world.  Hunger, disease and extreme poverty have long been a way of life.  Recent civil unrest, border fighting, and threats of terrorism have taken a bad situation and made it worse.  Inflation in 2022 and 2023 has compounded the problems in Burundi. Food is becoming scarce and prices for essential items, like rice and beans, have reportedly risen 67% in 2022.  Fortunately trade was recently re-opened with Rwanda and there is hope the financial hardships may ease.

For several years the board members of Hope Milele Africa have individually invested in the children of Burundi.  They helped to hold fundraisers to build a school in Ngozi, Burundi.  They invested their time and funds into improving the lives of children there. 

The Burundi partner in the school project, Hope of Africa Mission NGO, was funded entirely by donations that came through another US based non-profit.  According to leaders of the US based non-profit, Hope of Africa Mission NGO was doing an excellent job of providing education to nearly 400 children and feeding them a hot meal daily.  They also offered Bible classes and a meal on Saturdays.  The leadership of Hope of Africa Mission NGO were fully accountable for funds and provided detailed reports for expenses. 

Sadly, the US based non-profit that provided funding to Hope of Africa Mission closed operations, due to financial accountability issues with another African country partner.  That closure left these vulnerable children without funding.  Some teachers worked without pay to keep the school open.  Teachers and children alike came to school hungry and go home hungry as well.  Some teachers left and some children dropped out of school.  The Board of Directors and CEO of the US based non-profit worked tirelessly to find a solution for Burundi.

In December 2016, Hope Milele Africa stepped in to help at the request of Hope of Africa and the former US based non profit.  In December Hope Milele Africa provided $3,000 in immediate relief to many of the children and their families.  That relief included food and essentials for their homes at Christmas time.  We also began providing some pay for the teachers. 

Thanks to a generous year end donation in our first year, some mid year support and a growing number of sponsors,  the Hope of Africa Mission School in Ngozi remains open.  Though we are living by faith and prayer, we have been able to provide a hot meal a day for 230 children in desperate need.  It costs roughly $2800 per month to keep this school open which includes meals, school supplies, and some uniforms for the children.  Those funds also cover the salaries of teachers, administrators, cooking and security staff.  Sponsored children get a small amount additional provisions for their families. The school now serves about 320 children. 30 of our sponsored children have moved on to secondary school, where we provide tuition, books and "package care" for their families.  We are currently over half way to covering expenses to keep the school open, but new sponsors and donors are desperately needed.  Once funding is achieved to keep the school open,  we hope to turn our attention and additional funds to improving conditions for sponsored children.  Our focus is to develop community projects that will help achieve self sustainability and some means of support for these struggling families.