| 01 November 2008
The non-governmental Burundian organisation Maison Shalom has grown in Ruyigi from the initiative and profoundly humane vision of Marguerite “Maggy” Barankitse, an exceptional woman who fights to protect children from the devastating effects of war and AIDS, driven by her dream to offer thousands of children a dignified and happy future. After years of sustained efforts to provide basic material, social and psychological help during and after interethnic massacres and civil war, Maggy and her team now do not hesitate to pull through major sustainable projects in the childrens’ favour. Her actions have become known worldwide and have been rewarded with several prestigious prizes.
Many institutions and friends accompany the development of Maison Shalom, which has recently been favoured by the progressive establisment of peace in Burundi and consequently improved communication and access to the Ruyigi region.
The last few years have hence seen the creation of a childrens’ daycare centre and the construction of hundreds of houses for newly created interethnic family units (so-called “fratries”). Numerous children have found back to their extended families thanks to Maison Shalom, and many have received schooling and professional training in facilities such as the Garage des Anges (Angels’ Garage), a guest house called Frieden (Peace) and the cultural Center “Cité des Anges”. Maison Shalom also decided to participate in the reintegration into civil life of ex-girl and woman soldiers. And finally, the hospital Rema has opened in 2008, with a long needed maternity unit, an emergency service, and a laboratory.Maison Shalom fights for childrens’ rights to education, knowledge and culture. Only if these rights are respected do children have hope for a dignified future.
To know more about recent developments at Maison Shalom, please download the latest annual reports and the presentation of the Rema Hospital from the links below.This site is dedicated to all those who from near or far have helped or do help Maison Shalom and to all those who would like to support the organisation in its aims and projects.
Download: Annual Report 2008