Burundi

Around 3,400 Arabs live in Burundi. Many run shops, restaurants and tourist businesses in urban areas. Some run large coffee and tea plantations. Pray for Christians to see this unreached people group on their doorstep.

Burundi is considered evangelised. However, in practice people still need to learn God's Word, and African church leaders need to grasp God's plan for cross-cultural church planting. WEC’s Burundian mobiliser, Aloys, says “It is now the indigenous churches of Africa who will take the responsibility for their own share in world evangelisation, as sending churches.” Churches started during colonialism are not growing; they’re so involved in administration, they’ve forgotten the Great Commission. Pastors of Burundian-founded churches are mostly not theologically educated. Ask God to change the leaders' mindset regarding mission. Pray peace, boldness and provision for those considering service.

It is common for the young children of women in prison in Burundi to remain in prison with their mothers. However, there is no provision made for the children. Christian lawyers in Burundi have recently gained access to prisons to share the gospel and to provide free legal advice. In addition to support for navigating the criminal justice system, our partners are exploring ways to help these children practically (nutrition, education, family support) and share Jesus with them.

Between October and December 2012 the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and partners helped more than 34,000 Burundian refugees return from Tanzania. 60% of them were children under the age of 18, most born in exile to parents who fled civil war in the 1990s. Pray for these refugees as they face many problems including food, land access, language and legal documentation.

Work to protect natural springs in Burundi continues so that 25,000 families can have safe drinking water and avoid water-borne diseases that claim so many lives. In the worst affected parts of Burundi, one in four children die from diarrhoeal diseases. Water committees have been established and trained to look after the springs and, importantly, to educate people in key hygiene practices.

Population: 11,178,92 (2015 est)
Literacy: 36%
Official languages: Kirundi, French
GDP (PPP) per capita: $818 (2015 est.)
Life expectancy: 50 years
Religions: 63% Catholic, 22% indigenous religions, 10% Muslim, 5% Protestant