Peace and Reconciliation Burundi Project #58701

Empower the most vulnerable people in Burundi

by Terra Renaissance

Empower the most vulnerable people in Burundi

Project Report | Jan 23, 2026
Dignity Amidst Floods: Essential Support for Women in Burundi

By Channie Cheung | Member of Overseas Team

Women who received the relief supplies

Thank you very much for following this project! Your interest and support mean the world to the communities we serve. Here comes our latest report from the field.

This update focuses on our emergency response in Burundi, where thousands of families are currently battling the devastating aftermath of climate-driven disasters.

A Song of Gratitude Amidst the Ruins

"We have received the essentials we need! This is God’s plan for us! Thank you, and God bless!"

These are the voices of women in Burundi, singing through their pain. Since 2023, the El Niño phenomenon has unleashed devastating rains, triggering floods and landslides that have swept away homes, farms, and livelihoods. As of May 2024, over 102,000 people have been displaced. For families who survive by tilling the soil, losing their land means losing their only means of survival.

Protecting Dignity When Everything is Lost In partnership with IOM Burundi, Terra Renaissance is on the ground distributing "Dignity Kits" to those most affected. We are prioritizing women, who are often the most vulnerable to safety risks and health issues during the chaos of displacement.

Each kit contains more than just physical items; it provides a sense of humanity:

Buckets for clean water
Soap and Skin Oil for hygiene and health
Underwear and Fabric for privacy and dignity
Sandals for mobility and safety

The Long Road to Recovery

Our staff on the ground reflected on the survivors' songs: "If this aid is part of a divine plan, then perhaps the flood that took their homes was, too." In a nation where faith runs deep, people find hope even in total loss. However, faith alone cannot rebuild a life. While we wait for long-term solutions like land relocation from the government, these families remain in a painful limbo.

We know we cannot solve every problem alone. It requires the collective wisdom and cooperation of the local community, the government, and the international society. But we stand by our philosophy: "We may be small, but we are not powerless." Every kit we deliver is a testament to that belief.

How Your Donation Makes a Difference.

Your support provides immediate relief and tells these women they are not forgotten:

$15 provides a full Dignity Kit for one woman.
$30 provides hygiene supplies for two displaced families.
$100 helps us transport supplies to remote, hard-to-reach flood zones.

About Terra Renaissance: Founded in 2001, Terra Renaissance works toward a society where "all life can live in peace." We are committed to standing with survivors of conflict and disaster until they can stand on their own feet.

Supplies provided during the distribution

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Sep 26, 2025
The Story: "My Life Has Changed Dramatically"

By Channie Cheung | Member of Overseas Team

Before joining this project, survival was a daily battle for the women in our program. Trapped in extreme poverty, many were forced into precarious day labor or exploitative sex work just to feed their families. The future was not a hope; it was simply the next 24 hours.

But today, everything is different. In April 2024, we launched a self-reliance project centered on a sustainable business: making and selling charcoal briquettes. Now, just over a year later, these women are not just participants; they are skilled producers and savvy entrepreneurs.

Their success, however, has created a new, unexpected challenge. They have become so proficient that their production capacity has outgrown their facilities. They are making briquettes faster than they can dry them, creating a bottleneck that limits their potential.

To solve this "good problem," they have already taken the initiative to start building a new, larger drying shed. To expand their growing customer base, they are now piloting sales in two new locations in town. Their ambition and hard work are palpable, but to take this next crucial step, they need our help.

A Message of Hope, Straight from the Heart

We recently received a message from one of the incredible women in this program. Her words are a powerful testament to the change you can make possible:

"I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for your incredible support. My life has changed dramatically compared to before. I used to barely survive day-to-day... now, I have a place to go to work every day, and I've even started to save a little money.

*My dream is to save more and buy livestock, like goats and cattle. And my child… my child has started to say to me, 'Mom, you're shining.' *

I can't thank you enough for your kind hearts. I pray you will continue to extend your warmth to help other vulnerable people. I will also continue to do what I can. May God bless you all."

Why Your Support is Critical Now

This mother’s story says it all. This project is restoring dignity, building futures, and inspiring the next generation. The women are driving this success with their own hands and dazzling smiles. Now, we must help them build the infrastructure needed to match their determination.

Their new drying shed needs to be completed. Their expansion into new markets needs support. Your donation today can directly overcome these hurdles and unlock their full potential, ensuring their business—and their hope—continues to grow.

How Your Gift Fuels Their Future

Your contribution is a direct investment in the success and sustainability of this women-led cooperative.

$25 can help create vibrant promotional materials to attract new customers at their market stalls.
$60 can purchase essential construction materials, like timber and roofing sheets, for the new drying shed.
$150 can cover the rental and setup costs of a new market stall for one month, helping them secure a wider customer base.
$350 can purchase a new, more efficient briquette press, empowering them to double their production and their income.

About Terra Renaissance

Terra Renaissance is dedicated to creating a world where all people can live in peace and security. We believe in empowering communities with the tools and skills they need to build their own sustainable futures, fostering self-reliance and lasting peace from the ground up.

Join Us: Help Them Shine Even Brighter

Her child sees her shining. With your help, her light can shine even brighter, inspiring her family and her entire community.

This is your chance to support women who are not asking for a handout, but for a hand up as they build their own success story. Your gift will help them build a business, secure their independence, and create a future filled with possibility.

Please, click the "Donate Now" button. Your investment today will fuel their journey and help a mother's light shine for years to come.

selling briquettes

our best team

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May 30, 2025
Project Report: From Waste to Worth: The Briquette

By Ai Igarashi | Member of Advocacy Team

We have launched the “Briquette Project” in the Kayanza region of Burundi, a small country in Africa. This new initiative aims to foster community self-reliance and environmental protection.

Project Background and Objectives

Burundi has faced prolonged conflict and poverty, forcing many people to endure difficult living conditions. Securing daily food and fuel is a significant challenge, especially in rural areas. We aim to strengthen the resilience of people living under these circumstances, empowering them to cope with the complex risks they face in their daily lives.

This project is different from aid that simply provides supplies; it aims to create a sustainable system that enables local residents to improve their lives through their own efforts. We're not just providing supplies - we're building resilience and creating opportunities for long-term change. Its main objectives are as follows:

Strengthening beneficiary resilience: We aim to provide a stable source of income and fortify their livelihoods.
Addressing complex life risks: We seek to mitigate the impact of fluctuating fuel prices and climate change.
Balancing environmental protection and economic support: We strive to achieve both the effective use of waste materials and the creation of new income opportunities.

Project Overview

The heart of our project lies in transforming what was once considered waste into a valuable resource. Specifically, we collect previously unutilised maize waste, such as stalks and husks left after harvest, and process it into eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. These briquettes serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood charcoal for cooking fuel. A crucial outcome of this initiative is the creation of new income sources for project participants through the sale of these briquettes. To scale up these efforts and ensure their sustainability, a new dedicated facility for this purpose is currently under construction.

How You Can Fuel This Project

We are at a pivotal moment. The new facility in Kayanza is taking shape, but to make it fully operational and expand our reach, we urgently need your support. Your donation will directly contribute to:

Completing the new training and production facility: Ensuring we have a dedicated, safe space for briquette production.
Purchasing necessary equipment: Providing tools and machinery for efficient briquette making.
Training more community members: Empowering more families with skills to create and sell briquettes.
Expanding our reach: Allowing us to bring this sustainable solution to even more people in need in Burundi.

Your generous donation, no matter the size, will directly fuel this transformative project. Help us turn waste into wealth, protect the environment, and empower communities in Burundi to thrive.

Please, consider making a gift today! Your generosity can transform waste into worth, and challenges into opportunities.

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