Women of Burundi

In most developing countries, the lives of women are difficult. Burundi is certainly no exception. Fifteen years of civil war has displaced many families, created many widows and orphans. Literacy levels are low, with free, universal primary education available since 2005. Generally, women and children must grow crops, prepare meals, carry water, and do most of the household work. Men work as day laborers in many cases, to bring a small amount of cash into the family. If the husband and father was killed or displaced during the conflict, the entire responsibility for the family falls on the woman to be mother and father, caregiver and provider.

Recently, a team from Transformation Ministries made our annual trip to Burundi to provide training. For the first time, the training included four days of instruction, Bible lessons, encouragement, and fellowship for 105 Burundi women (accompanied by 60 small children). The team from the US included Christeen Hopkins (Truevine Missionary Baptist, Lynwood, CA), Margo Malone (Second Baptist, Santa Ana, CA), and Sharon Dumas (First Baptist, Honolulu, HI). These ladies taught lessons of women in the Bible so that the women of Burundi could see how God worked in and through the lives of women. Margo used drama and costumes to emphasize the character of Bible women. Sharon taught about the “model woman” found in Proverbs 31. Christeen taught pastors’ wives about the unusual issues facing those married to pastors, and also lead a “women-only” seminar that allowed the women to speak freely without any men present. In addition, two members of the Free Baptist Church leadership, both of whom are nurses, taught lessons on health, nutrition, and sanitation.

1Sharon teaching

2 Burundi women and children

3Margo teaching

The response to the training was more than we could have imagined. Attendance exceeded our goal and expectations. The Burundi women repeatedly expressed not only their appreciation for the training, but a deep desire to meet again next year. While I wasn’t able to spend a great deal of time with the women during the training, I was able to hear the story of several Burundian women. One lady shared her story of how six of her eight children died at a young age and how she coped with the loss through prayer and calling out to God. Another told of being abandoned by her husband and praying that God would restore their marriage. Her husband did return to her, surrendered his life to Christ, and became a pastor.

Taking a break

The classes on nutrition were well received. There were a lot of questions about the material presented, as the instructors taught ways to prepare more nutritious meals using the items most Burundian families have available. These new concepts intrigued and excited the women. Since the material was presented in Kirundi, their own language, the women were able to have a more intensive training. What a great experience to see the staff and leaders of the Free Baptist Church training the women. With the Bible and spiritual training provided by Transformation Ministries’ volunteers and the training offered by the local leaders, the women returned to their homes better equipped to be leaders in their church, community, and country. Praise God for His goodness. Imana Ishimwe!

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