BURUNDI TODAY
- Details
- Category: Actu. Nationale
- Published on Thursday, 23 August 2012 15:07
- Written by Ineza Divine
Interview
Abanyagihugu.com mise à jour, le 23.08.2012
Source : Burundibwiza.com
Manirakiza Jean Berchmans & Ndayishimiye Rrnest
Our website does not have language barrier, our intention being to serve and satisfy everybody: we are aware of the big diversity of Burundians; everybody has to feel comfortable and no one should feel neglected at www.burundibwiza.com . Our new theme “BURUNDI TODAY” is already published in Kirundi (Ubu mu Burundi hameze gute?) and French (Quelle est l’image actuelle du Burundi?). We know how this issue is important for our readership, that’s why we publish this article in English, as we are lucky to meet an English speaker, Mr. Ndayishimiye Ernest, who has just gotten back from the ancestral homeland there is only a few weeks. Mr. Ndayishimiye visited Burundi during the celebration of the fifties anniversary of the independence. He also participated in the conference of the diaspora held in Bujumbura from 28 till 30 June 2012. In this interview, he speaks to us about what he saw in the country, he gives us the current image of Burundi.
(Note: BB=Burundibwiza).
BB: Mr. Ndayishimiye, we greet you and thank you for coming to speak to our readers through this interview.
Ernest:
Thank you for this privilege you have offered to me to speak to your readers.
BB: Before getting to the heart of the subject, would you like to tell our readers about yourself?
Ernest:
My name is Ernest Ndayishimiye, I was born in Bujumbura Rural, I am married and I got three children, two girls and one boy, I worked several years at local government (Birmingham City Council-UK). I was advisor, counselor and interpreter for people from abroad. I am a Community Developer, a chairman and founder of organization called Communities Youth Vision for ten years in the United Kingdom (www.communitiesyouthvision.org).
I am a Promoter and Legal Representative of Medical Centre Lumiere Pour Tous in Kinama, a popular and urban commune located in the North of Bujumbura city in Burundi.
My dream was always to work with vulnerable people and try to bring the social justice balances. That’s why; I went back to Bangor University (Wales) to study the Community Development course.
BB: It seems to us that you visit Burundi regularly. How do you feel when you land at the international airport of Bujumbura?
Ernest:
It is always an emotional landing; I did not imagine that one day I will be having an opportunity to land to my country’s international airport. Before landed, I saw our beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains; it reminded me of my childhood. The airport staffs were very courteous, however I did not know what language to use to the airport staff, and I was looked like a foreigner.
The first things I asked my friend was to get the traditional beer called Urwarwa- Isongo, and Mukeke.
BB: What can you say to those who are afraid or who hesitate to go to Burundi?
Ernest:
I would like to encourage the people to go and see instead of having inaccurate information from social media platforms.
Since I went in Burundi, I never had any problems related to security, violence, or robberies. Most of the time, I participated in the social events, traveled in the countryside, returned in Bujumbura around midnight.
The night clubs are open until late, and transports are available at any time. In the weekend people like to go out, especially in country side for enjoyment.
The police community support officers are always on the patrol to help the people. There are emergency numbers to call police once suspecting anything.
BB: What was the purpose of you visit in Burundi?
Ernest:
The first purpose was to see my family, relatives, friends and neighbors.
The second, I have delegated to participate in the Diaspora conference and the celebration of the fifties anniversary of Burundi’s independence.
The third, I brought the modern medical equipments (Ultrasound machine, Hematology Blood Analyzer) to Centre Medicale Lumiere Pour Tous in the commune of Kinama-Bujumbura Mairie.
BB: Are you satisfied with the organization and the results of the conference of the diaspora in which you participated as representing Burundians living in England?
Ernest:
Yes I am satisfied. The results from the Diaspora’s conference were very positive.
The Diaspora has agreed to have the legal document and structure. The election was peaceful and fair, the elected management committee, trustees were coming from different countries. Furthermore each country has its representatives.
The Diaspora’s conference was well organized, atmosphere was very good, and the Diaspora members came from different countries, with different knowledge. The Burundi and Non-government organizations authorities supported and some of them participated in the conference.
BB: How did you enjoy the celebration of the fifties anniversary of the independence of Burundi?
Ernest:
The Burundi’s independence ceremony was tremendous; thousands of people from different countries have attended with big smiles. I met different people; saw the different demonstration skills from Burundians and Chinese, and I saw president awarding the people who worked hard before and after colonial period, saw realizations from Burundians’ work.
The colourful celebrations that were attended by thousands of Burundians were held at in Bujumbura.
I saw the leaders who attended the anniversary celebrations included Presidents Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
A day ahead of Burundi’s celebration of its 50 years of independence on July 1, a Chinese performed arts troupe electrified crowds in the Burundi capital of Bujumbura. The troupe, which was composed of performers from China, sang, danced, and culminated the show with a stunning display of Chinese martial arts.
BB: How could you describe the current situation of Burundi on security, political and economic plan, based on what you saw yourself?
Ernest:
To compare from the past, the current situation is better. In the town, people walk in the streets twenty four hours without any problems. The social freedom have improved, security for everybody, police community support officers are always on the patrol to protect the people and their fortune.
The government, working together with population, has built primary and secondary schools including health centers, to all provinces of country, encourage parents to send their children to school, which school fees are free of charge for public schools. Its new program to let children attending school till year nine is fabulous for young people that will help them to choose the next move with required knowledge.
The parents give birth without pay money to any public health centre, free treatment for young children.
However, there are other issues that put the peoples’ lives at risks related to, families fortune, mistrust business partnerships , jealous, envying each other etc…. these bring conflicts in the community, and it has claimed peoples’ lives.
Since Burundi joined the East Africa Community, it has brought the business and people free movement. The tertiary sector starts to improve. The people started to work hard.
Some shops, hotels, night clubs, restaurants, taxis, petrol stations, now open twenty four hours in the city.
The local, national and international businesses have increased, people travel to different countries for business compared to the past. The buses from Burundi to Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Congo etc… are operating daily. The airlines have increased, operating daily as well.
BB: Mr. Ndayishimiye, how is Burundi today?
Ernest:
Burundi today has started to move in right direction, people started to work hard, manifest their feelings about economy.
- Education and health care have improved as compared to the past
- People free movements are more opened as compared to the past
- People from different ethnics are working together as compared to the past
- Security has improved in the country as compared to the past
- The social media has increased as compare to the past
- Tourism has improved as compare to the past
- Infrastructures have improved as compare to the past
BB: Have you taken some pictures that you could share with our readers?
Ernest:
Yes, I have taken pictures when my family and I went to Burundi; we have visited different places in the country. These are some pictures down here.
Family and I during visit to Bujumbura rural, the relatives have given us a warm welcome.
My children visited the field of bananas and cassavas in the Bujumbura rural.
Family and I visited the family and relatives in the Kirundo town, we enjoyed with family.
Family and I, relatives visited Kirundo tourist site, canoeing in the small lake des oiseaux.
Family and I in Bugarama (country side) enjoyed the country side meals; my daughter carried the traditional basket.
My children and their friends relaxed to the Bujumbura beach, enjoyed the diversity activities.
BB: What is your last message to address to our readers?
Ernest:
My message to address to your readers is to love our country, becoming the ambassadors of our country, work together for an economic development of our country.
Better to see than hearing from word of mouth and social Media.
The country has improved in the some different aspects such as politics, economy, social, and technology, ethical and so on, as compared to the past.
BB: We thank you once again this interview and for your time.
Ernest:
Thank you very much for you invitation as well. I hope you will invite me again.
Jean Berchmans Manirakiza for Burundibwiza.com