Restoration Burundi
For a Peaceful and Prosperous family
WHO-WE-ARE
Restoration Burundi (RESTOBU) is a Christian organization founded in 2014 by a group of young Christians from different local denominations under the leadership of Gratien Nibigira. We are committed to education for the peaceful resolution of recurring conflicts and the strengthening of the integrated well-being of Burundian society.
We have two main programs: Peace and Justice, as well as the Socio-Economic Program. In peace education, historically, Burundi has been characterized by cyclical violence, and the lesson learned is that youth are often victims of manipulation.
RESTOBU aims to change the cycle of violence by defying the manipulators through the creation of peace clubs as a platform for young students to exchange ideas and transmit biblical values and ideals of peace to positively influence Burundian society for a better future. The peace clubs have been established in all the schools of excellence in Burundi, as well as in other selected schools.
We also raise awareness among the population about the laws governing Burundian society. We do this through the radio program ARATURABA (No One is Supposed to ignore the Law), which is broadcast on four radio stations and across social networks. Moreover, We advocate for vulnerable prisoners and provide legal assistance.
Finally, we promote socio-economic development to vulnerable families grouped in community peace clubs ( also called Development Cells) and farming projects, breeding, small commerce, and adult literacy programs are supported. We also help vulnerable individuals obtain insurance cards for healthcare access.
Restoration Burundi (RESTOBU) was formerly called CODEFAB and was born in 2014 and approved by Ministerial Decree No. 530/773 of 17 June 2015 which was reenacted on 18 January 2018 whith a new name "Restoration Burundi".
OUR VALUES
1. Forgiveness
2 Unity
3.Integrity
4. Transparency
5. Justice
6. Citizenship
STRATEGIES
These strategies are as follows:
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Establishment of development and peace cells
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Partnership with other organizations working in the same field
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To initiate holistic projects and works
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Identification of strategic beneficiaries
VISION
Our dream is to see a: "A Burundi built on the prosperous and peaceful family wherein there is no more room for misery".
MISSION
Our mission is to "Promote the emergence of a network of social and patriotic cells at the national level, capable of leading its own development and training quality leaders who can influence the socio-economic life of all strata of the Burundian population".
Background
Gratien, rise up, work and pray for national reconciliation, for forgiveness and social justice...
Gratien Nibigira is the founder of Restoration Burundi (Restobu). He was born in 1989. His father was killed in the war in 1993, and this led to a miserable childhood being raised in a displacement camp. He managed to get an education although he did drop out for a whole year because of lack of money for the school fees.
He ended up being a child-soldier for four years. But towards the end of high school, as he was praying, he sensed God telling him to leave the countryside, move to the capital, and a family there would provide him with lodging as he gave himself to the Lord’s work. The Lord indeed had gone ahead of him. They weren’t easy days, but he led his school Christian Union, got involved with GLO partners Scripture Union and Harvest Initiatives, and grew in maturity and faith.
It was on a Harvest Initiatives outreach in the bush that he came across a destitute 75-year-old widow, victim of both the 1972 and 1993 crises. Both her husband and all her children had been killed, and she lived in a straw hut without any help from anyone. Through engaging with her, Gratien was compelled to act. The Lord spoke to him clearly : “Gratien, rise up, work and pray for national reconciliation, for forgiveness and social justice so that such miserable scenarios become a thing of the past!” That is how Restoration Burundi came into being.
In 2015, a new political crisis erupted, in which Restobu were already prepared to engage, so they were amongst the first groups to organise conferences on peace and non-violence in secondary schools, universities, local communities and amongst young impressionable political activists. Restobu currently works in a selected number of strategic schools, and amongst repatriated refugees in Makamba, Cibitoke and Kirundo.
LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION
Our association has three main governing bodies, namely:
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The General Assembly;
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The Board of Directors;
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The National Coordinating Committee.
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