Donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Kaburantwa Fundamental School in Burundi

On Monday, September 16^th, 2024, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its humanitarian department, proceeded to the delivery of a donation of 7 fully built classrooms, the renovation of 3 other rooms, and 450 benches to the KABURANTWA Fundamental School located on the hill of KABURANTWA, GASENYI area of BUNGANDA commune, in the province of CIBITOKE, Republic of Burundi.

On this back-to-school day in Burundi, children, parents, and members of the community came to celebrate this donation, which is a first one since the creation of this school in 1966. This joyful ceremony opened through drums’ tempo from the traditional "drum troupe" interpreting peace, love, unity and progress. About 1000 people attended the event.

Leaders of the community and of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke at the event.

Colonel BIZOZA Carême, the governor of the province of CIBITOKE, after welcoming the entire delegation to his province, added, "I thank the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this wonderful donation of new classrooms and I invite teachers, students, and the community to take care of this beautiful building not only for yourselves but also for the coming generations “.

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, President of the Africa Central Area of the Church, was touched by the joy and comfort that this donation brought to the community. A mother spoke to him expressing how much she worried about what could have happened to her child on rainy days, because the walls could fall on her child and classmates at any time and that this new building soothed her heart. While speaking about the importance of education during his speech, Elder Mutombo said, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasizes a complete education that includes not only academic studies, but also spiritual and moral development. Learning is an essential aspect of the eternal progression of each individual”.

Professor NIMUBONA Fréderic, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, who came to represent the Prime Minister of the Republic of Burundi, stated this during his speech, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has shown us a very good example. Apart from teaching the faith, a church has a responsibility to support the development of its members and the community and to make them become self-reliant people."

With joy and hearts filled with gratitude, this sunny day ended with the delivery of classrooms’ keys to the principal and of notebooks and pens to the students.