Burundi
Burundi is small landlocked country in East Africa bordered by
Rwanda, The Congo and Tanzania with part of its borders along Lake
Tanganyika. Due to civil unrest, ethnic violence and AIDs, Burundi is
one of the world’s poorest countries. Originally colonized by Germany
and later by Belgium, Burundi gained independence in 1962. Languages
spoken in Burundi are Kirundi, French and Swahili. Only 10% of boys
in Burundi are able to get secondary education so the figure for the
deaf is even much lower.
DMI has a very active ministry in Burundi lead by Fabien Hammisi.
Fabien is a deaf man of amazing ability and drive and is responsible
for over seeing of the whole DMI activity in Burundi including
churches, sewing workshop, wood work factory, deaf awareness and
promotional activities, Bible School and a host of other activities.
Wood workers
Rigobert teaches at the Bible school, supervisors the workshops and is an evangelist in The Congo
Bible school
Charles
Charles Njejimana is a graduate of our Uganda Bible School He has
been chairman of the churches in Burundi but is now studying under
scholarship in India.
New office
DMI has a team of 9 evangelist serving churches for the deaf in
Gibotoke Kayanza, Muyinga, Gitega,Buja, Matana, Bubabza, 3 ministries
in the Bujumbura area and a mission work into the Congo at Uvira .
The recently acquired house in Bujumbura serves as offices for DMI,
the Bible School, training centre and offices for interpreters.
Kids ministry in Bujumbura
Church at worship, Bujumbura
Baptism in Tanganyika Lake
Neville presenting computer from Huntingtion Beach Christian Church
Much of the equipment used in the projects in Burundi have been
received from the United Nations, Belgium Embassy, Catholic relief
and through donations made by DMI and Deaf Action.