May recap/Handicap Internation

I have decided that I will not be able to back log all that happened but I will have to give you an update/recap of the time I didn’t share.
I took the initiative to figure out where services for those with disabilities are in Burundi. My first clue was a guy with a Handicap International shirt at the coffee shop. I asked him the location and a synopsis. I looked online and couldn’t find contact information so I marched myself down to the office. The guard at the gate wasn’t sure who I was or what I wanted. Finally he brought me a pen and paper. He took my information into the office. Soon someone came out who spoke English. They said I should come back. I came back the second time at the appointed time. After the same song and dance the director came out. She apologized for not being able to meet with me, apparently she wasn’t informed of the meeting I was so posed to have with her. I came back for the third time, as dad always says, “third time’s a charm”. As I walked onto the property I couldn’t help but think, “Everything here is difficult. It takes at least three tries to do anything.” The meeting went well. I learned about HI’s philosophy and what works for them here. She gave me contact info for some people. One of them she called right then. He wanted me to come and visit his center that day. I was busy but was available the next day.
Gilbert lead me to his office, past the fence with barbed wire (I’m getting used to that, I almost don’t notice anymore, almost). We entered an office with two desks. A man who was blind was sitting next to a guide. I was introduced. It was great to see someone with a disability being treated like a human, with value.
Gilbert told me about the 16 centers that there are around Burundi. Most of them are for physical support of prosthetics and such. He then led me to the center. I was so surprised how big the property was. Long buildings surrounded a grass field, flower garden, and vegetable garden. The first room we went in was the physical therapy unit, that’s right they have physical therapy. It was great to see those with disabilities being talked to and honored. Mothers and care givers come with the children and receive training on how to stretch muscles and care. What a great service to the community. There was a woman with a baby not more than 6 months old who had Down Syndrome. Early intervention is so important with this population. It’s great to see.
As the tour continued I was introduced to students, some needed help shaking my hand, making eye contact, and speaking clearly. It was just another opportunity for the workers to instruct. I was so impressed. Some children were learning outside tasks and others were in classrooms learning reading, writing and math.
This center has a restaurant, a duka(a little shop), soap making business, they sell rabbits, corn, eggs, chickens, and make jewelry. This center is every special education teacher’s dream.
When all was finished I was escorted by one of the students to the bus. It was a long way. They felt comfortable sending him. That was the cherry on top for me.
The next day I had a meeting with the Bishop. He wanted to know how things were going. He began to tell me about this center he found and that the director was out of the country so I would be able to go and see it in July. He said the name…it was the same place I went to the day before. I then got to tell him all about it. He was impressed. We began talking about his vision for a training facility that serves the needs of the community but also can train special education majors from HAU.
I left his office encouraged but thinking about my future… and the time commitment something like this will take.
Before I met with HI and the Bishop I had a meeting with a student from HAU. He wanted to meet with me. “There are people with disabilities and some of them don’t have families or parents. What are you going to do about it?” was his main question. I, being a good teacher, turned the question back to him, “what would you do?” I sat listening to him share his dream of opening up a place for those with disabilities and having a place for those who are orphans to stay. He’s a business major and so he wanted to know what my thoughts were as a special education prof. His whole conversation was running though my brain while I visited the center and talked to the Bishop.
I see the vision of students from Hope running this school/training facility that is being talked about. This is totally possible.

I also finished classes well and preached at church on Sunday on finding strength in the Lord during the hard times.
Then I left for Kibuye.