EAB PRESS for December

19 Dec 2016 • EAB PRESS

THANKSGIVING IN BUYE DIOCESE

In November Buye Diocese, led by the Rt. Rev. Sixbert Macumi celebrated 50 years jubilee. The Archbishop of Burundi, the Most Rev. Martin Blaise Nyaboho, other Bishops and members of the family of the first Burundian Bishop of Buye, the Rt. Rev. John Nkunzumwami who led the Diocese for 13 years joined in a time of thanksgiving for all that has been accomplished through the years.

Bishop John Nduwayo, the Dean of the Province said “We thank God for the growth of the Church and for what the Church is doing for the Burundian community”. Tributes were paid to previous Bishops and to the missionaries who served in the diocese.

A CONGREGATION CELEBRATES

The congregation of Mutanga Nord parish in Bujumbura was delighted as their new Church building was inaugurated very recently as St Emmanuel by the Rt. Rev.Eraste Bigirimana, Bishop of Bujumbura.

The parish started in 1992 with a few Christians who used to meet in home groups at night before they began to worship on a Sunday using class rooms in a primary school and then in the Light University of Bujumbura.

A SAFE HOUSE AND THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

During the 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender Based Violence a variety of activities were organized in all the dioceses as part of the commitment of the Church to raise awareness of GBV and end violence in all its forms. Many stories have been shared by beneficiaries as to how their lives had been transformed and their families no longer live with permanent conflict.

A safe house has been launched that will provide services related to counselling victims and also be able to refer to other centres those needing more specialized help.

The Archbishop, the Most Rev. Martin Blaise Nyaboho highlighted the main activities that the campaign has focused on - the mobilization of people to more commitment against gender based violence, good financial management in the family, the role of the police to end GBV, training, and sensitizing and equipping priests with skills to help their communities to understand and work towards the eradication of gender based violence.

HIV / AIDS IS A FIGHT THAT CONCERNS EVERYONE

World AIDS Day 2016 provided an opportunity to reaffirm a commitment to the struggle against HIV/AIDS. For a whole week a series of activities were organized in Makamba province.

More than 1900 people were voluntarily screened. Doctors working in the province are now saying that they are seeing reduced HIV prevalence.

Many people joined a procession through Makamba to the stadium to raise awareness that the fight against HIV/AIDS concerns everyone. The youth were encouraged to re-double their efforts to combat HIV. They participated in a contest about HIV. Winners were awarded prizes.

TRANSFORMATION AS PARTRIDGES AND MONKEYS RETURN

A project with local community groups in partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development to provide security for refugees living on a hillside in Rutana has resulted in a transformed environment.

There are now plantations of trees that protect houses and crops from strong winds on the hillside and also provide a habitat for populations of partridge and monkey.

Rainwater is providing sources of fresh, safe drinking water. The improved fertility of the soil means that the hillside is now able to sustain increased yields of crops from which the families benefit.

“ONE PERSON ONE TREE” - 10 MILLION TREES TO BE PLANTED

A tree campaign has just been launched by the Church to protect and maintain forests and the environment in general throughout the country. With a population of around 10 million people in Burundi the Church has fixed a goal, “One person one tree” within 5 years.

With the support of Episcopal Relief and Development, the Church has already set up nurseries in different provinces of the country. Over a million of trees will be planted within one year on private and public land.

Ceremonies to mark the launch took place in Muhuta commune in Rumonge province where Church leaders, Government representatives and civil society organisations met to plant trees alongside Lake Tanganyika.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

The Province wishes you a very Happy Christmas as we celebrate together the birth of a Saviour, and God’s blessings for 2017.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus”

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

News items can be also be found on the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Province-of-the-Anglican-Church-of-Burundi/212149435518502