Gitega, Burundi: City of Peace
Welcome to Mr. BASHIKIRE Théophilea and his colleagues who have created Gitega, Burundi: City of Peace. The group formed the Hope Center, which is an organization dedicated to peacebuilding in their community. Gitega is the second administrative and economic city of Burundi with about 200,000 inhabitants. The town is located in the country’s center and has seen horrible massacres. The population is poor and unemployment is high.
Note: Introduction page with information primarily at the time of joining International Cities of Peace. For updates, please contact the liaison.
HISTORY OF GITEGA, BURUNDI
Burundi is a country of 27,824 km2 in Central Africa.
It is bounded on the East and South by Tanzania, to the North by the Rwanda and to the West by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its population is 10,163,000 inhabitants divided into three ethnic groups: Hutu 86%, 13% Tutsi, Twa 1%.
Burundi is a Republic and has a violent history. It was colonized by Belgium until 1962 where it gained independence. In 1961 the Hero of the independence Prince Louis Rwagasore was assassinated; this is born of disorder that lead to killings of Hutu elites (1965).
In 1966 the Tutsi army took power and abolished the kingdom (also led by Tutsi).
In 1972, taking advantage of a Hutu revolt, the Tutsis army massacred over 200,000 Hutu and over 400 000 take the path of exile.
In 1988, another Hutu revolt in Ntega and Marangara, brings the army to turn it off in the blood.
In 1993, the democratically elected Hutu president ( NDADAYE Melchior) was assassinated by the Tutsi. Hutu Rebellions led guerrillas until 2004 when peace agreements were signed.
The 2005 elections were won by President Nkurunziza (a former head of the rebel movement). But the country is target killings, repetitive violence, gangs, bad governance, imprisonment of opponents, disrespect of human rights. Meanwhile misery has widespread, impoverishment of the people is immense.
Letter of Intent
THE HOPE CENTER
To this situation in Burundi, Hope Center is committed to combat these evils and seek the welfare of populations. Some equity assets of the Hope Center are:
– Supervision of 50 women vulnerable to petty trade
– 25 street children are welcomed every Monday for advice, praise and light meal
– Youth Training of Trainers (47 representing the country) on human rights.Hope Center is an organization of Burundian rights created in 2013 at Gitega to promote peace and human rights for populations well being.
VISION
Hope Center is an organization of Burundian rights created in 2013 at Gitega to promote peace and human rights for populations well being.
Its objectives are:– Fight against violence in all its forms, help strengthen peace and defend human rights;
– Search the welfare of the people by education, health, agriculture, environment and sanitation programs;
– Supervise vulnerable by activities generating revenue and learning trades;
– Defending the rights of women and children for their smooth integration into society.The Hope Center-range extends throughout Burundi.
OBJECTIVES OF THE HOPE CENTER
– Fight against violence in all its forms, help strengthen peace and defend human rights;
– Search the welfare of the people by education, health, agriculture, environment and sanitation programs;
– Supervise vulnerable by activities generating revenue and learning trades;
– Defending the rights of women and children for their smooth integration into society.The Hope Center-range extends throughout Burundi.
GOALS
- Establish a learning center for young trades (hairdressing, tailoring, carpentry, and masonry)
- Creation of self development of women group
- Teaching Human Rights to 500 women
- Defend marginalized in court
ABOUT BASHIKIRE Théophile
Mr. Bashikire is 44 years old. He holds a Degree in Languages and Literatures of African as well as a Degree in Theolog. He is also a Professor at the College of Islamic Kabondo.
Mr. Bashikire is also the Legal Representative of Betheseda Churches in Burundi as well as the legal representative of the Hope Center.
CONTACT INFO
For more information please contact:
hopecenter <hopecenterhopecenter@yahoo.fr>
ABOUT GITEGA, BURUNDI (excerpted from Wikipedia)
Gitega (formerly Kitega) is the second largest city in Burundi[citation needed], lying east of Bujumbura.
Burundi /bəˈrʊndɨ/ or /bəˈrʌndi/, officially the Republic of Burundi (Kirundi: Republika y’Uburundi, [buˈɾundi]; French: République du Burundi, [buʁunˈdi] or [byʁynˈdi]), is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of Southeast Africa, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It is also sometimes considered part of Central Africa. Burundi’s capital is Bujumbura. Although the country is landlocked, much of the southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika.
Gitega is the capital of Gitega Province, one of the 17 provinces of Burundi. It is the home of the Burundi National Museum and the Archdiocese of Gitega. Several karyenda royal drum sanctuaries are located in the area, as well as the ibwami (royal court).
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