CORD first worked with the Burundian people when they fled to safety from their country’s civil war and sought sanctuary in the refugee camps of Tanzania. Fifteen years later these families have returned home to a country ravaged by war, its land desecrated, its infrastructure severely damaged. CORD has gone with them.

CORD began its programme in Giharo Commune, Rutana Province by targeting 550 of the most vulnerable families; some headed by a single parent - usually the mother - or by a child. Others were elderly or physically disabled.

The pattern for success involves forming groups of ten families to build new homes together, the vulnerable being helped by those who are more fit and able. The groups make mud bricks while CORD supply the roofing, two doors and four windows –for the houses and for an all important latrine per family.

Each household has a stable for the animals, who traditionally have shared the house. This initial project saw 3,300 people with:

• a new roof over their head,
• much improved sanitation and hygiene and their own latrine
• the beginnings of a small holding
• simple hygiene training has already done a great deal to make the Burundians less vulnerable to infection and disease.

For those who returned home to find their homes destroyed, occupied or in chronic dilapidation, this is a real transformation.  This initial work is being replicated more widely throughout Giharo Commune. 600 more houses and latrines are underway with every family receiving health and hygiene training.

A good clean water supply is paramount. CORD Burundi is working to protect 300 natural springs and exploring further valleys to improve irrigation on agricultural land. Its all part of a three-year project, financed by the EU, which will see us training and supporting Water Committees, Fountain Keepers and the regional coordinating bodies for water.

We began by cultivating community marsh lands to multiply good quality seed and produce disease resistant cassava cuttings. Together with the local community we have developed and built a Community Seed Centre, which is already a flagship for the region.

Nursery associations set up three nurseries to grow 180,000 special grass plants and some 550,000 tree saplings to improve and sustain the land and the environment.

Thanks to US funding CORD is building on these successes in 2009, spending US$700,000 on constructing two new primary schools with six classrooms apiece, extending three more schools, training and providing homes for teachers, constructing school gardens and blocks of latrines.

As in all CORD’s work it is the communities themselves who construct all the above, facilitated by our staff.

CORD is also working in partnership with ADDF – The Association for the Defence of Women’s Rights- on malaria prevention, and resolving domestic violence, a frequent problem after long term conflict.

The UK Government is funding CORD’s three year programme to improve literacy, understanding of HIV and  rights issues with some of Burundi’s most vulnerable families.