Hinduringendo spaces, a solution for communities in the Merankabandi project area.
ODAG-CARITAS Gitega, COPED, Concern Worldwide and FVS- Ami des Enfants, Action Aid, World Relief, NGOs supported by UNICEF Burundi, with funding from the Kingdom of Belgium, assist beneficiaries in economic strengthening through the Hinduringendo spaces.
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In one district of Gitega, precisely in Nyabututsi, we found a brand-new house, nicely painted. In front of the door, Jean-Bosco dressed in a clean jacket is waiting for us. He welcomes us into the house, inside which is a woman dressed in a beautiful shiny loincloth. She is his wife; her name is Marie Goreth Ndayishimiye, 39 years old. She is one of the beneficiaries of the Merankabandi social safety nets project in Gitega province. They have 5 children.
With the cash transfers, Marie Goreth started her small grain business. As the cash transfers ended, she was worried about how to make the capital already acquired profitable.
The NGO FVS-Amade supported the beneficiaries to consolidate the solidarity groups by training them in income-generating activities and subsidizing the activities of the group's savings and lending system.
"With the capital raised through all members savings, I was able to borrow small loans with which I bought porks and goats. After a few months, with the sale of the cattle, I gathered a stock of more than 50 kg of cereals that I could sell in only 2 days", says Marie Goreth. She and members of other associations have decided to create a cooperative called "Dutezimbere ibibondo".
As part of the economic strengthening of the beneficiaries of the social safety nets, for 3 years, the Organization for the Development of the Archdiocese of Gitega (ODAG-CARITAS Gitega) renovated and equipped the wellness spaces called Hinduringendo (let's change our behavior) while coaching them on issues of health, nutrition, child protection and financial education. "I have gained a lot of knowledge on resource management. With the income generated by my cereal business and a loan borrowed from the cooperative, I built our new house," says Marie Goreth.
Jean-Bosco, her husband, is so happy to be living in the new house. During the rainy season, they could sleep little by night because of water leaks from the old house's dilapidated roof. "Now my children do better in school because they can study at night under the light of the solar powered lamps we installed in our new house" Jean-Bosco says.
Many say that the financial empowerment and sensitization activities within the Hinduringendo space have greatly improved their living conditions in terms of social cohesion. The council of hill notables, that meets in Hinduringendo spaces, has reduced cases of litigation and strengthened conflict management within the community. "Banditry and other bad practices are now under control. Family conflicts have decreased. Even small problems among members of social groups are positively resolved thanks to the mediation of the members of this council," says Sixte Niyimbona, 46, chief of Higiro hill in the commune and province of Gitega.
Despite these achievements, there are still challenges. Not all the localities of the Merankabandi project have Hinduringendo spaces. There are also cases of deterioration of spaces that need to be maintained by the community and the site’s solidarity groups, that are now responsible for their management.
The Merankabandi sustainability project is supported by UNICEF Burundi with funding from the Kingdom of Belgium.
