Since 2021, Restoration Burundi has established peace clubs in Kirundo province, specifically in the Bugabira and Busoni communes, both of which border Rwanda, to help reintegrate returning students. During this time, the area saw a significant influx of people returning from refugee camps in neighboring countries, particularly Rwanda. The peace clubs were set up in six schools with high numbers of returnee students. These clubs aim to plant the seeds of peace within the community and create a conducive learning environment. They motivate and inspire students to recognize the difference they can make in building a better Burundi. Topics covered include trauma healing, servant leadership, peaceful conflict resolution, environmental protection, and similar subjects. The impact of the peace clubs has exceeded expectations.
As Restoration puts much focus on the school environment, impact in the schools are evident.
At Busoni High school, in order to reduce conflicts that reach the school administration, these students have set up a mediation team made up of 2 boys and 2 girls to help solve conflicts at the ground level and avert escalation. However, students still have a choice of where to complain when they have disputes, either to the school administration or to those mediators. They did this after noticing how conflicts which reach the school administration sometimes meet harsh punishments including learner’s expulsion from the school whereas the conflicts could have been solved before worsening.
Though students still have the right to choose where to complain, no one has chosen to complain to the school administration.
Thanks to the skills these mediators prove while reconciling students when there are disputes, all students choose them instead of escalating their conflicts to the school administration.
According to Donat, the Headmaster of Busoni High School, “no case of conflict has reached the school administration so far. All are often solved by those mediators."
After seeing how skillful these learners have become after these teachings, Donat has a suggestion: “These teachings ought not to be limited to students, but also, school authorities should benefit them as they guide them while taking decisions.”
The Bugabira High School Administration states that the peace club's impact extends beyond instilling positive values to also enhancing learners' resilience.
As the Director of Teaching says, the school year 2021-2022 had started with 351 students and ended after 39 students had dropped out of school. However, the club had 60 students and among them, no dropout was seen.
“When you see no dropout among 60 members of the club, you can understand that those students have got a special teaching,” Said Ezeckiel, the Director of Teachings at Bugabira High School.
Healing of psychological wounds, which is one of the topics discussed in the club has been profitable for Beatrice, an 18 years old schoolgirl at Bugabira High School. Beatrice’s mother died in 2015 when Beatrice was very young, altering their living conditions and causing her elder sisters to drop out of school. Beatrice became intensely angry, choosing to speak only with fellow orphans and ending friendships immediately after any conflict.
After attending the peace club, she was completely healed of her wounds. Moreover, she helped her friend who studied at another school in which there was no peace club. That friend had the same behavior as Beatrice.
“When that friend of mine had a conflict with others, she came to tell me and we both went to either fight or insult them. But, I have changed her.” She said
Restoration Burundi is changing the community through these young learners, catalysts, who will be future leaders of the country especially by inculcating biblical values in them from early age. They are impacting not only schools but also their community.
Denis Munezero 17 years old, is a schoolboy at Marembo High School in Busoni Commune. The peace club was created at his school and Denis joined it. Among the themes developed, community service and peaceful conflicts resolution touched him the most and decided to put into practice what he was taught by the peace club to the needy family living near him.
It is a family of Gaudence Nsaguye over ninety years living with her son Etienne 55 years in the same moody and straw hut with less than 1.5m long and 1m wide.
Of Gaudence’s 11 children, only four have survived. She tragically lost them during the conflict that erupted in Burundi in 1993. Among those who survived, 3 went to look for their better lives and Gaudence doesn’t have their whereabouts. He stayed with Etienne who had got married and divorced shortly after marriage. However, Etienne has physical disability since he was 5 years old.
Both Etienne and his mother came were lucky to find where to build a house, however, as Etienne was no longer strong enough to build something strong, he built a straw hut which gives little shelter when it rains as the roof is filled with water leaks.
After the teachings by the peace club, Denis felt compelled to show compassion towards them. His parents are not rich but can afford basic needs including sending children to school. Denis has decided to do his best to provide this needy family with what to eat and helps them to fetch water, at 1 hour walk distance. However, Denis is not able to provide them food daily. So, they sometimes spend a day without eating.
‘We are alive thanks to him (Denis). He is the one to care for us. “Even if I die today or tomorrow, I pray for him, that God blesses him abundantly and turns him into a powerful man.’’ Gaudence said.
“When I found Etienne insulting his mother, I reminded him that his mother is getting old and needs his support. I advised him to obey and honor her, no matter how hard life got. Fortunately, he accepted my advice, and they both live peacefully now. The only challenge now is their living conditions.” Denis said
In the same club is a schoolboy whose name is Claude 20 years old, also known in his community as a 'conflicts solver’.
According to Ahishakiye, the mother of Claude, the teachings he received in that peace club were helpful, particularly to her family. “I say that these teachings were also helpful to my family as he managed to help my husband get rid of alcohol addiction using his nonviolence.” Said the mother of Claude. According to her, Claude was skillful enough to give his father tips for getting rid of his alcohol addiction.
According to her, even the community around them has profited from the fruit of those teachings as Claude often solves conflicts around him. This is one of many conflicts he solved.
“There were people fighting over family issues …. they ended up thanking him saying ‘well done’ …. marveled to see such a skillful young boy giving them advice.” added, the mother of Claude.
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