We continue to hear and stay in regular contact with the orphanage. I do not want to bombard people, but at the same time, it is similar to living in Burundi, where the needs never stop. I wanted to give you a quick overview of where we’re at right now and some things we hope to accomplish in the near future.

Our primary goal right now is to raise $500 to initiate the process in Burundi to become an official NGO. I suspect this will cost more as we get into it, but for now, we have been given this price to have someone help.

The other primary goal we have is to raise money for one of the orphans to get medical care. They believe the child has epilepsy, and they have been told the child needs medical treatment monthly to help with the seizures. The approximate monthly amount would be $250. It’s hard for us to understand, but when we give for their medical needs, this money is for them to see the doctor, get any needed tests, obtain the medicine, and also for all the transportation needs of the child and caretaker.

The great news is that by God’s grace, we are partnering with Feed the Hungry, and Lord willing, this month the orphanage will be a regular feeding center, which means all 49 children will be guaranteed a meal 1-2 times a day. That takes a huge load off as we now know the children will have a meal, they have running water, and they have beds to sleep in. I cannot wait to receive the photos of all 49 children eating these meals!

Our main goals are to raise $200 a month to support our staff who are our eyes on the ground, and such a huge help. They visit the orphanage, they get to know the children, and have times of devotions and Bible study when they go. They are a huge blessing, and we couldn’t do this without them.

Other big goals, which are secondary right now, are to help the staff at Nezerwa Center orphanage. There are 12 staff members; the total cost of their salaries is roughly $150. That’s right, I did say total cost. For 12 staff members, the total they earn is $150. The total that every staff member makes is $13 a month. And even that is nearly impossible for them to achieve without help. I know it seems ludicrous, but this really is the reality in Burundi. When we say it is one of the world’s poorest countries, it really is and it is so difficult for us to wrap our heads around.

There are 4 orphans in University, their tuition costs roughly $70 per year. So, ideally, we want to help raise $280 a year so these 4 students can excel and not feel the financial burden when they’re trying to better their lives. There are younger children in what we would call elementary, middle and high school too. Elementary and middle school are $35 a year and high school is $65 a year for public education. For private school elementary is $65, middle school is $132, and high school is $170. Yes, private high school is $100 more than public university for the year.

As I said, life in Burundi means the needs are never-ending. It feels so futile sometimes and like a constant uphill battle. But this was a discussion we had in Burundi as a family frequently. You can’t help them all. You can’t do it all. But you absolutely can and should do something. It reminds me of the day Neil gave the equivalent of less than .50 cents to a homeless woman. Neil asked what we had to give her and I pulled out a measly and dirty 2000 Burundian francs. Neil could have said, “Mom, this is so little, what is this going to do for her?” But he said, “Mom, we should give what we have.” And with his dimpled smile he reached out and gave it to her. None of us expected her reaction, she began singing and dancing in gratitude and thanks. I lived there and I cannot grasp their poverty nor their gratitude. Please, join us in prayer for these needs and these goals. Each child and each staff member have a name and a story and they are loved by the Most High God, He is not going to let them down!

Here is a rough financial breakdown.