RENEW International Builds Peace in Burundi

In 2004, over 300,000 citizens in the Central African Republic of Burundi tragically died as the result of inter-ethnic violence and dangerous political upheaval. After the genocide, the country experienced devastating poverty and a decimated Church. Church property was destroyed and personnel fled. The people of this region were suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually. RENEW International became an instrumental part of the peace-building process in Burundi. The non-profit Catholic organization was suggested by the Catholic Relief Services and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a means of helping this needy country because of their prior success peace-building in South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda.

RENEW International worked together with Burundian bishops to stabilize the volatile situation and bring peace and faith to their people. They worked at a grassroots level to repair and rebuild the Christian community in Burundi and develop a model which could be used elsewhere in similarly challenged countries. RENEW staff traveled throughout Burundi, implementing workshops and distributing material which had been translated first into French and then into Kirundi by the local dioceses. They identifed emerging leaders who could help their people find true acceptance of one another and create a spiritually enriched atmosphere for their children. RENEW International divided the people into smaller Christian communities and built trust amongst people who had previously viewed each other as enemies. Once trust was established, they began reading scriptures and faith sharing. These Christian communities became a model for how to live the gospel, including such activities as providing for widows and orphans, helping find housing for those returning from exile, and improving public services. Ongoing peace efforts continue in Burundi today, facilitated from within the country by its own Christian people and their renewed faith in God.