“The church is present. That is why the church is growing.”: New Project In Burundi
Bishop Seth with students in one of the church supported schools.
“The church is present. That is why the church is growing.”
- Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye
The Anglican Diocese of Matana - Burundi
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.
Burundi, 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!
Bishop Seth’s mission expands well beyond the walls of the church and into the wider community.
“[Bishop Seth Ndayirukiye] is a man of character and vision. 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
A 20-room guesthouse will provide stable revenue to support the growing diocese’s ministry.
In order to support this growing ministry, the Diocese of Matana needs stable revenue to support its ongoing operations. 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.
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