BUNTU FOUNDATION GRANTED A SOLIDARITY HELP TO THE CENTER OF SAINT KIZITO OF BUJUMBURA TOWN

The First Lady distributing milk to the children

On Tuesday, November 14, 2017, the Buntu Foundation, under the Represented by Her Excellency Reverend Denise Nkurunziza, the First Lady of Burundi granted a donation of wheelchairs, milk and rice to the children with disabilities of the Center Saint Kizito which is in City Hall of Bujumbura, in Mukaza commune. According to the Representative of the Buntu Foundation, this gift is a sign of solidarity and love that the organization always shows to deprived people.

Anne Marie MUSHIRANZIGO, the Director of the Saint KIZITO Center, greatly appreciated the unwavering support of Mrs. Denise NKURUNZIZA because it is not the first time to visit that center. She said that that help brought a strong hand by the fact that it will reduce the charges that are exorbitant.

Her Excellency Denise NKURUNZIZA, Representative of BUNTU Foundation, appreciated the work done by the agents of the Saint KIZITO Center to improve the lives of children with disabilities; she said that the 9 wheelchairs represent a sample that will be presented to the partners to ask for a large quantity that can help the largest number of children with disabilities. Another aid given by the Buntu Foundation consisted of 39 cartons of milk and 1300kg of rice.

Before handing over this gift, in the said center, the Spouse of the Head of State of Burundi took for treatment NIYONYISHU Chancelline, an orphan adopted since April 2017.

FIRST LADY DENISE NKURUNZIZA GRANTED SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DIFFERENT BENEFICIARIES

social assistance to vulnerable in Bururi Province

In her second stay in Bururi Province on 25 February2017, Her Excellency Rev. Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza preached the Word of God in morning where people from various denominations were massively gathered to hear the Gospel. Before she preached, The First Lady of Burundi and Representative of Buntu Foundation granted a social assistance to 26 vulnerable at the same place (LA Plage). Each household received 2 hoes, 2 blanks, 4 soaps, 4 pots, 5 cans, and 1loin clothes, 1box of milk, 10kg of beans and 10kg of rice. Buntu Foundation supported also the Bururi Hospital by wheelchairs and some kit of surgery.

“We thank Buntu Foundation for this gift.  This shows us that the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza is a mother for all Burundians”, said the director of Bururi Hospital.

The same day in afternoon, the representative of Buntu Foundation, Madam Denise Nkurunziza paid a visit to the orphanage of Kiremba commune. The latter is caring 80 children and was created by Pentecost Church of Kiremba.

To that orphanage, the First Lady granted a divers assistance whose 350 kg of rice, 200 beans, 25 loin clothes, 100 pots, 51 boxes of milk, 100 soaps, 20 boxes of Picots, 3 boxes of playthings and biscuits for children .“I come to celebrate and wish happy New Year to these orphans to restore their hope and let them feel that they are supported”, said the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza.

The First Lady ended her activities in Bururi Province by visiting the construction of Pentecost Church.

MEETING OF BENEFICIARIES OF BUNTU FOUNDATION

Family photo of beneficiaries of Buntu Foundation

The First Lady of Burundi Her Excellency Rev.  Denise Nkurunziza met on Friday, 10 February 2017, at the headquarters of Buntu Foundation, all beneficiaries of this foundation of which, she is president and legal representative.

A scene of emotions marked the party atmosphere at this moment of encounter with the personality that saved many lives in danger.
"You have already gained heaven because you practice all that is written in the Bible," said most beneficiaries at the time of their very moving testimonies.
"It is difficult for me to make a choice between a multitude of letters of request for assistance. I have to take my time to pray and let the Holy Spirit choose himself," said Madam Denise Nkurunziza  and justify that in no case the choice was made on ethnic, partisan or other factors.
"I wanted to see those I helped, to inquire about their situations," said Mrs. Nkurunziza while testifying that helping people is really her vocation since childhood.
The Buntu Foundation brought together more than 50 people, including graduates who were educated in India, children and adults who suffered from many illnesses.

"I thank the investors who have supported us, and now they are honorary members of the Buntu Foundation," said the First Lady and stated that the door is open for all those who could contribute to saving lives, including the contributions of the beneficiaries of the Foundation.

These are some testimonies given to relate the benefits of the Buntu Foundation:
Noel Sifa is a twelve-year-old girl: "I was in my second year when I started falling into the heart attack. The situation got worse until my heart swelled. I was ready to die but God had sent me the First Lady who, after seeing my state of health, unblocked her money for me to seek treatment in India. If were not for Buntu Foundation, my life would no longer be. May God bless Madame DeniseNkurunziza infinitely. "

Nestorie: "This is an important day for me because I have tried repeatedly to meet the First Lady to thank her for what she did for me but I did not find her. I was going to lose all my legs, which are useful to me in my tailoring. Mrs Denise Nkurunziza had paid me a ticket to go to India where I was well treated and now I am in good condition. May God bless her infinitely. "

Didace Manirakiza: "My child was very near to die because his head was already deformed. The First Lady intervened and paid everything to save my child. May the kingdom of heaven be for her. "

The party was closed by the sharing of food and beverages.

FIRST LADY DENISE NKURUNZIZA WISHED A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE PATIENTS ADMITTED TO MUYINGA HOSPITAL AND DISABLED OF “SAINT JEAN BOSCO

At Muyinga Hospital

Thursday, 19 January 2017, Her Excellency Rev. Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza payed a visit to the northen province of Burundi named Muyinga, where she joined the patients of the hospital after visiting the “Centre pour Handicapés Physiques Saint Jean Bosco”. The latter is caring children who were born with physical disabilities.

In that Centre, the First Lady granted a variform assistance whose hundreds kg of rice and beans, loincloths and some drinking.“I come to celebrate and wish happy New Year to these children with disabilities to restore their hope and let them feel that they are supported”, said the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza.

In Muyinga Hospital, Her Excellency Denise Nkurunziza payed a visit to patients admitted in maternity block where she granted also the gifts to the family of Epitas Ndagijimana  which has given birth to triplets. In that block, she granted also assistance to Reine Akimana who has picked up a baby rejected by his mother.  Other blocks visited by the First Lady were reanimation, surgery and block of children suffering from kwashiorkor. Each of the 88 patients received 10 kg of rice, 10kg of beans, milk and loincloths from the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza. The latter expressed her best wishes to them for 2017. It was a great joy for the patients to see the First Lady visiting them and supporting them. All of them are lasting a long time in Hospital; to get food is big challenge. “God bless her», they said.

Besides, in Evening, The First Lady Denise Nkurunziza went home of Mbarushimana Carinie, the governor of Karusi, to share the joy with the family for having given birth to twins.“I come to rejoice with you for what God have done in your family and I bring the President’s message of best wishes to you”, said the First Lady. It was a great joy in governor’s family to receive home The First Lady Denise Nkurunziza.

FIRST LADY DENISE NKURUNZIZA WISHED A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO PATIENTS ADMITTED TO KAYANZA HOSPITAL

At Kayanza hospital

In framework of Buntu Foundation, The First Lady Denise Nkurunziza payed a visit to patients admitted in maternity block of Kayanza Hospital to wish them a happy new year. Some were with their new born infants and one of them has given birth to twins. Others were admitted due to gynaecological problems. Each of both received 10 kg of rice, 10 kg of beans, sugar, milk and loincloths granted by the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza. The latter expressed her best wishes to them for 2017. It was a great joy for the mothers. Some of them are poor, to get food is a big challenge. Still others were admitted to the hospital before the beginning of the New Year and so didn’t they celebrate the event. According to them, the First Lady came at the right time, before their going back home. “We won’t starve when we are home. God bless her” they said. Besides, the First Lady Denise Nkurunziza called them to family planning as Kayanza is the most populated of all provinces of the country and land is so small to meet the population growth of the area.

HER EXCELLENCY MADAM DENISE NKURUNZIZA CELEBRATED THE CHRISTMAS DAY WITH ORPHANS

December 17, 2016: Buntu Foundation represented by Her Excellency Denise Nkurunziza joined SWAA-Burundi and ANSS to celebrate Christmas day for the Orphans of AIDS cared by those two organizations. The ceremonies took place in Saint Esprit school building under the highest patronage of the First Lady of Burundi.

Almost 300 children were gathered to benefit food and gifts for Christmas day. The First Lady appreciated that charity work organised by SWAA-Burundi and ANSS for this category of people who need a particular support. "I recommend all Burundians to share with others the little they have especially with people who are disadvantaged in society". Said the First Lady of the country.

After her speech, the First Lady of Burundi offered food and gifts for Christmas day she brought to the orphans.

The Representative of SWAA-BURUNDI and ANSS and the Minister of Public Health and the fight against the AIDS welcomed the hospitality of Her Excellency Denise Nkurunziza.

HER EXCELLENCY MADAM DENISE NKURUNZIZA PRESENTED HER BEST WISHES TO THE ORPHANS OF GITEGA 1

Her Excellency Denise Nkurunziza paid a visit to the Bernadette’s orphanage commonly named "Saint Trinité" with the goal of presentation of her best wishes for the upcoming year, and offering Christmas gifts to the orphans. It was in the framework of Buntu Foundation, the First Lady of Burundi’s Organization created to restore hope of orphans and widows of war and HIV/AIDS, the senior citizens and people with disabilities.

“The objective of this visit is to make best wishes to the orphans who live here, for the new year 2017 and grant to them the Christmas gifts. That’s why I carry an assistance of 200 kg of rice, 240 kg of beans, 7 boxes of milk, I mean 168 pieces, 50 goblets, 10 loin clothes, 30 pans, and so on”, said the First Lady.

The Representative of the orphanage thanked H.E Denise Nkurunziza and her foundation for her hospitality and precised that they care 50 orphans and 4 people with disabilities. She also asked the First Lady to support them with wheelchairs.

H.E. DENISE NKURUNZINZA, RECIEVES CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNIZITION FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY

1st Lady Center Left

It was a monumental day when the First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, Denise Nkurunziza received recognition at the United Nations in New York for her BUNTU Foundation and service to her country. She received this award for winning the Women’s Progress Award for achieving the millennium development goals for women’s issues in the Republic of Burundi. This Special Congressional Achievement Certificate from the United States of America is a great honor for the First Lady, Denise Nkurunzinza of the Republic of Burundi. 

Ambassador Clyde Rivers said, “We are very grateful to the United States for this Special Congressional Achievement Certificate honoring the First Lady of Burundi. She is a true champion of her people and all humanity.”

BURUNDI FIRST LADY AWARDED VOICE OF AFRICAN MOTHERS AWARD AT UNITED NATIONS

1st Lady receiving award at the UN

Voice of African Mothers is an organization that has put together an award for the First Ladies of Africa. Voices of African Mothers award recipients are women that have worked hard to reach the millennium development goals for women’s issues within their respective countries. The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, Denise Nkurunzinza, received this award at the United Nations and was an overwhelming winner of this award because she exceeded the goals set for millennium development for her country.

Her BUNTU Foundation has been a major voice for women in Burundi. Her organization is teaching motherhood, child-rearing and life skills with economic empowerment to the women of her country. Ambassador Clyde Rivers says, “Burundi's 1st Lady will always lead the way because of her strong voice for her people and her belief in God. It is great to see a country achieve goals to help their people. A big congratulations to the First Lady, Denise Nkurunzinza, for achieving the Women’s Progress Award 2013 for her millennium development goals.”

BUNTU FOUNDATION GETS ATTENTION IN AMERICA

Amb Clyde Rivers & 1st Lady Denise Nkurunziza

The BUNTU Foundation has been established for the benefit of the Burundian public to bring humanitarian assistance to the people who have been victims following different social and political crises. The main focus of the BUNTU Foundation is to bring security and hope to orphans, widows and widowers, handicapped and old people without assistance. This organization, originating from the initiative of Her Excellency Madame Denise BUCUMI NKURUNZIZA, has caught the attention of several American educational institutions in America.

Clyde Rivers PhD, Honorary Ambassador at Large for the Republic of Burundi commented, “Several educational institutions in the United States have shown an interest in helping the BUNTU Foundation. It is great to see positive exposure coming to the country of Burundi from the Western World. We are accustom to seeing Africa looking for handouts but the BUNTU Foundation is looking to give their people a hand up through the labor of this great foundation and the encouragement of the First Lady.”

H.E. DENISE NKURUNZIZA INTRODUCES HER YOUTH TO THE IT AGE

1st Lady Denise Nkurunziza

First Lady of Burundi, H.E. Denise Nkurunziza, Founder of the BUNTU Foundation is identifying the need to move Burundi into the IT age. There are many obstacles but together, with the BUNTU Foundation, H.E. Denise Nkurunziza is pushing forward for the sake of their youth and the education arenas they need to move into.

Due to a lack of electricity in rural areas and computer labs in many schools, in Burundi, almost 99% of pupils finish high schools without touching even a mouse of a computer. In order to improve education in our nation, BUNTU Foundation has decided to reach schools in villages, particularly those in final years; offering them classes on Computer Basics, Introduction to Microsoft Windows, Introduction to Microsoft Word and Internet basics.

These classes are held in a BUNTU Foundation IT Bus that accommodates 18 students. This IT Bus is designed to even reach those schools where there is no electricity and generators are used for power. The First Lady continues to advance her country and to empower the next generations.