Despite an uneasy political situation in Burundi with some escalating violence in the past year between government and rebel forces, Afrinspire has successfully sent computers and books into the country.
Our partner in Gitega was able to obtain a customs exoneration certificate allowing the goods in free of any tax. Collected recently from the Tanzanian border this pile of boxes safely arriving is a success story for us.
We have already equipped Gitega International Academy in a previous shipment and so this
batch will be used in a new venture starting in June to take computers to Karusi Province. These will be the first computers ever in this area of Burundi.
One of Afrinspire's young leaders, Jules Nkurunziza, will pioneer this computer centre. Jules started his career working in Gitega's first internet cafe, set up with the help of Afrinspire in 2009. He quickly learnt about computers and became the lead IT technician in the city. With his expert knowledge he became the IT teacher at the Gitega International Academy, and as one of our reliable project partners, has maintained a strong relationship with Afrinspire. With our support he hopes to start the IT centre in Karusi during his summer vacation from the academy..
Here is a picture of Jules with his students at the Academy and the computers they received in March.
We have also provided the funding for a photocopier as an essential ingredient of the new cyber cafe and training centre in Karusi.
