Burundi
Guesthouse and New Classrooms in Matana
“The church is present. That is why the church is growing.”
- Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye
Kindergarten students wait outside the newly constructed kindergarten at Ecole Fondementale de Matana primary school. The school, a previous project of ARDF, increased enrollment by 20%. As the school grows, two additional classrooms are needed for upper grades.
A 20-room guesthouse will provide stable revenue to support the growing diocese’s ministry.
Grant Amount: $198,491 | Lives Impacted: 232
The Story…
Burundi, while a place with beautiful and lush landscapes, is one of the world’s poorest countries. Slightly smaller than the US State of Maryland, it also is one of Africa’s most densely populated countries, and just under half of the population is between 0-14 years old. Many challenges face Burundians, ranging from economic to medical to political, yet the church has radically grown due to their faithful and loving presence. Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye, our project partner, shares how he has confirmed 12,754 new Christians in the past 6 years as Bishop of the Diocese of Matana!
The Diocese of Matana needs stable revenue to support its ongoing operations and growing ministry. Since Matana is a desirable tourist destination, the diocese plans to construct and operate a 20-room guesthouse to host church conferences and provide lodging for travelers. Along with this guesthouse, two new classrooms are needed at the nearby primary school. This growth is exciting news for the school and for ARDF, as in 2018 ARDF helped expand the previous building with six new classrooms. The two new classrooms will allow 60 more children to attend primary school grades 5 and 6. We are thrilled that enrollment is increasing and their ministry is reaching even more children! Together, the guesthouse and additional school classrooms will support the ongoing holistic ministry of the Diocese of Matana in the community and ensure it can be financially self-sustaining.
“I have known Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye from the time he was ordained into ministry. He is a man of character and vision. . . I could not think of a better mission to support. His mission in Matana is a powerful one. He is seeking to change an entire society, one marked with civil war, violence, and suffering for decades, by teaching the children. To invest in Bishop
Seth Ndayirukiye and his mission is to invest in the future of Burundi.”
– Marjorie Nuyungeko, General Secretary, Bible Society of Burundi
– Marjorie Nuyungeko, General Secretary, Bible Society of Burundi
You can help!
Cost Breakdown:
$228 covers the cost of windows and doors in one guesthouse room.
$1,806 fully covers the cost of putting in electricity.
$8,634 fully covers the cost to clear the site and lay the foundation for the guesthouse.
$14,826 fully covers the cost of constructing the two new primary grade classrooms.