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This is the Sixth 'Hope Centre Burundi' News Letter.


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What’s new in January 2009?

Well the big news from December was that the container arrived. Charles was very relieved to receive all of the building tools and materials, especially the cement mixers. He had to take some time, however, to explain the differences in mixing concrete by hand (which requires a whole group of people to turn the sand, gravel and cement) and using a cement mixer as they still had a whole group of people trying to fill the cement mixer at once. The big diesel mixer is petrol driven and can be taken to wherever it is needed on site which involved another change of thinking for the workers.

We also received in the container lots of clothes and household items which had been donated for the work here in Burundi. It was so great to receive these and we were quite emotional as we sorted through the boxes and saw all the clothes for the children and the sheets and towels. The household items have been stored for now on top of the wardrobes in our bedroom until the first house is finished.

The last two weeks before we left was rather hectic.

The boys had exams right up until the day before we left. In Africa they have exams at the end of every term which are taken very seriously and contribute to their overall year mark – which determines if they proceed to the next year. This was all new for the boys. They were expected to do some serious revision for each exam and, Samuel especially, had up to three exams each day. Even John had exams in each of his subjects.

I spent the last two weeks bent over a sewing machine and running back and forward to the market. I had volunteered to do the sewing for the Christmas Nativity play which took a great deal of time, wrestling with a 10 metre by 3 metre backdrop and measuring and making costumes for all of the children. Most of the women in Burundi work full time - the wages are so low that both partners have to work. Even in our church there are very few women who have much spare time, so that is why I took responsibility for doing the stage set and costumes. I also had to find and buy small gifts, and make gift bags and tags for all of the 43 children and young people (Christmas wrapping paper is not available), and buy small presents for our staff at the house and our 37 workers on site.

We returned to UK for two weeks over Christmas and New Year and enjoyed spending time with our families and those friends we managed to see. After 5 months, going from 30°C in Africa to -3°C in Aberdeen was a real shock but, thankfully, my sister met us at the airport with our winter coats.

The day we arrived we visited Crombie Primary School in Westhill who presented us with £1,000 which they had raised to pay for the furniture in the children’s houses. We talked with them about what Christmas was like for children in Burundi and saw some of the display boards that our friend, Anne, updates on the school notice board each week.

While we were away Pastor Leonard managed to arrange for the President of Burundi to come and visit the site, which was very exciting for him, Vincent the site supervisor, and the workers on site. When we returned this week they were keen to tell us exactly what he had done, where he had gone and what he had said. The visit was televised on Burundian National television. We hope to try and get a DVD copy if we can. Full Report Here: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1231575727

We were delighted to receive photos from Pastor Leonard of the children with their presents at the site on Christmas day. This is the first time many of them have seen where their new houses will be, as some of them are currently being cared for by various different families around the city until the houses are finished.

The progress on site is also impressive to see on our return. We knew it would all start to look much more real when the walls went up and this is certainly the case. This week they have started to put the doors and windows into the first house which is great to see.

Yesterday we received the boys’ reports from last term and they have all done very well, even with the French. The school here has definitely been a positive experience for them in terms of teaching them how others value education. This term I have started to go into the school two mornings a week to help with learning support for some of the children from the orphanage linked to the King’s School.

So, we are settling back into life in Burundi. It hasn’t been too hot and the water and electricity have only gone off once twice each this week. The boys are getting back in touch with their friends and were delighted to see 3 hippos at the shore on the day we arrived back. That was a true Burundian welcome back!


Charles & Val


View the online reports with images:


Week 16 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1226086797

Week 17 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1226695250

Week 18 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1227336762

Week 19 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1227944302

Week 20 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1228561974

Week 21 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1229159087

(The Presidents Visit and Christmas at Hope Centre)
Week 25 - Pictures: http://www.HopeCentreBurundi.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1231575727