The first cohort of sponsored orphans are now shining in secondary schools. Burundi empowerment is supporting vulnerable children to build skills and opportunities through arts and local initiatives in Musave/Rumonge/Burundi. In the next few weeks, Burundi Empoerment will run an Arts competition among primary school orphans in Rumonge just to provide them an opportunity to explore their natural talents. The true essence of empowerment is being able to achieve education outcomes, express emotions, openness, and understanding in a way that positively contributes to the community through Arts.

Jacqueline is one of sponsored vulnerable children who is currently developing computer literacy.Jacqueline is only 15 years old, and she has already acquired basic understanding of computers and software.

The uses of computers and the internet among sponsored orphans are growing at a record-high pace, and Burundi Empowerment is committed to assisting the most vulnerable kids from primary school, intermediate and high school.Burundi Empowerment focus in 2022 is to help vulnerable children develop computer literacy skills.

Computer education in developing countries faces hard choices, we acknowledged the supports from our sponsors.

Young people today face considerable challenges in creating a bright future for themselves during COVID-19 Pandemic.

That’s the reason why Burundi Empowerment is stepping up in order to help the young generate income through local community development. We help the youth in Burundi to explore local jobs and opportunity too.

Remember that Sub-Saharan Africa has both the highest rates of children living in extreme poverty at just under 50 per cent, and the largest share of the world’s extremely poor children, at just over 50%. Burundi Empowerment is helping hundreds of young Burundians to find a pathway out of poverty.

We are back 2021-22 Burundi is pleased to inform that we are now restarting the fundraising campaign for orphans and the most vulnerable kids

Our time has come to show care and our humanitarian commitments to the most vulnerable. If you have been or wish to be our financial sponsor, In-kind sponsors or promotional sponsors, we urge you to join us and support our humanitarian cause. Burundi Empowerment has been affected by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19); an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus/ global pandemic! This has been 2 years without practical activities due to our limitations. Covid-19 has exacerbated existing struggle and hardships that affect for orphans in Burundi.

In the last 2 years, our sponsored kids have been left in limbo. As we now move forward, it is high time we restarted the campaign to ensure orphans and the most vulnerable kids are supported through education. Soon, we’ll also share some successful stories from recipients as a number of sponsored children have already completed elementary and intermediate schools.

Let’s keep orphans’ spirit high through education. If you want to get more updated or needs to stay in touch via email : sponsorship@burundiempowerment.org.

The Executive Manager Burundi Empowerment

Executive Manager Burundi Empowerment ,JP

Fight against COVID-19. Does NZ adhere to the WHO recommendations?

Since March 2020, when COVID-19 was declared as a global pandemic, the World Health Organization has worked tirelessly to stop rapid transmission of the virus in order to save lives. The negative impact of COVID-19 has been devastating. The pandemic has led to a significant loss of human life, and it has left world economies in a health crisis as governments operate in a context of radical uncertainty and struggle to tackle the spread of the virus.

The WHO role has been so crucial as it constantly urges Members States to adhere to the “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and International Health Regulations (IHR,2005) frameworks, which require countries to provide regular reports within 24 hours following COVID-19 detection. It is worth mentioning that The International Health Regulations framework is an instrument of international law that is legally-binding on 196 countries. New Zealand has been complying to the WHO recommendations as it continues providing reports about COVID-19 on a daily basis.

The WHO set up a Solidarity Response Fund platform in order to strengthen its ability to assist nations to prevent, detect and respond to COVID-19 pandemic.  The platform has already assisted 100 countries through COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access namely COVAX, an initiative that aims to ensure the access, equitable and fair vaccine for all nations.                               

COVAX is a global collaboration and co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Global Alliance for Vaccines Immunization (GAVI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) alongside key delivery partner UNICEF formerly the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. It is reported (MBIE) that New Zealand government has invested $27 million in COVID-19 vaccine development through the COVAX Facility with conditions, that the government will have the option to purchase COVID-19 vaccines, for up to 50 percent of the population of New Zealand and the Realm (Tokelau, Cook Islands and Niue).

COVAX was also initiated to strengthen the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), a framework which was endorsed by the 194 Member States of the World Health Assembly in May 2012 in order to prevent millions of deaths by 2020 through equitable access to vaccines for everyone.

As a signatory of the Global Vaccine Action Plan, New Zealand has started a vaccination campaign in line with the WHO recommendations “equitable and fair roll out”, starting with the front-line health workers and vulnerable population. Likewise, New Zealand recognizes that vaccination is one of the best tools to protect people from COVID-19, and it has been regarded as one of successful nations in the fight against the Pandemic, for its aggressive COVID-19 strategy that aims at eliminating the virus.

Despite the achievement, the WHO is concerned about the persistence of vaccine nationalism and vaccine diplomacy by developed countries. For instance, February 2021 the UN reported that ten countries account for 75% of all COVID-19 vaccination, whilst more than 130 countries have not administered a single dose. As of today, COVAX has so far shipped over 38 million COVID-19 vaccines to 104 participants but that still few given that emerging patterns show that Covid-19 is worsening existing inequalities, particularly countries where there are social and economic disparities.

Amid a global health crisis, WHO has been also fighting conspiracy theories and myths about the COVID-19 Vaccine. Understandably, there is a huge amount of COVID-19 information on a daily basis, raising questions about the effectiveness of various vaccines particularly Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac vaccine, Sputnik V vaccine and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

The negative social impact of conspiracy theories has left many people in limbo, and they undermined the WHO efforts to fight the pandemic.  Again, the role of the WHO has been so crucial as it reminds us that the consequence for getting the virus is far worse than being vaccinated. According to WHO, getting vaccinated is not only an act of protecting oneself against COVID-19, but it also prevents the spread of virus to people around.

Global Health Equity campaign 2021

Recently, the concept of “no one is safe until everyone is safe” has become a slogan for global health figures.  This slogan was widely initiated following rising levels of vaccine nationalism, which negatively impacts Sustainable Development Goal 3 “good health and well-being to all”. “Vaccine nationalism and vaccine diplomacy threaten progress on tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and risks exacerbating extreme poverty by making it harder for low-income countries to access vaccines and fight the virus.”

In contrast, the WHO continues advocating for COVID-19 tests, treatments and a fairer healthier world for everyone. The WHO believes that SDG 3 can be achieved through universal health coverage, and it maintains that COVID-19 is a global pandemic requiring a global response. Furthermore, the WHO reiterates that collaboration between nations is paramount and should be just the starting point.   Indeed, global health equity must be the right way forward as it is everyone’s interest-because COVID-19 does not respect borders.

In New Zealand context, health equity is crucial as ethnic identity is an important dimension of health inequalities. Maori health status is demonstrably poorer than other New Zealanders, whilst Pacific peoples are poorer health than Pakeha. Addressing these socioeconomic, ethnic, gender and geographic inequalities requires a population health approach that takes account of all the influences on health and how they can be tackled to improve health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to play an essential role in the global governance of health and the fight of COVID-19 pandemic. I echo Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director, Health Emergencies Program (WHO) “It’s not just COVID-19 that is killing people, it is lack of access for underprivileged and years of living with health conditions that haven’t been properly managed because of one’s color, skin, ethnicity or social group, and therefore we have an opportunity to to recommit to fair vaccine distribution and global health equity”. Let’s join the World Health Organization for equitable global health campaign.

Jean-Paul Bizoza

Fundraising 2020/21 school year in Burundi

Access to education is key to halting COVID-19.

With just a few weeks before the academic year. Burundi Empowerment calls our sponsors to step in and show the solidarity as COVID-19 takes its toll. Burundi Empowerment was recently advised that many unaccompanied children are left in limbo due to COVID-19. It’s also reported that orphans in Burundi live in extremely precarious and overcrowded social environment.

The impact of Covid-19 for children, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged children, is devastating. Children who continue to struggle through hunger and poverty, are now facing the added threat of Covid-19. Many of these children and their families have no way to protect themselves. Access to essential learning materials – books, school supplies and teaching supplies are o needed than before. Burundi Empowerment reaffirms our commitment to support orphans

Burundi Empowerment main objective remains providing quality education to orphans. We echo “every child is entitled to fundamental human rights and is to be treated with dignity”. Again, the accessibility of educational resources to children in Burundi, will help them reach their potential . We also believe that education is the best weapon against both impoverishment and COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, lack of educational resources will expose orphans to extreme poverty, violence, abuse and exploitation. Furthermore, they will be at risk for taking destructive life paths. Instead, Educated children will boost a better chance of having opportunities for constructive and positive life paths they desperately need.

The struggle of street children in Burundi -Africa

COVID-19 has worsened the economic situation as many orphans have been left in limbo and struggling. We’re advised that the pandemic poses a clear and present danger to children, particularly the orphans In Burundi. While COVID-19 mortality rate for healthy children infected by the virus has been lower than for adults, today the UNICE and WHO have reported that 30 million are still at risk as diseases and malnutrition go untreated, and children are caught up in increased incidents of violence, including child trafficking. In the light of this, Burundi Empowerment is looking to collaborate with sponsors on joint messages to the public to raise awareness about the plight of vulnerable children due to Covid-19 responses. We require dedicated sponsors and people with a great heart to support the most vulnerable kids in Burundi.

Burundi Empowerment Executive Manager, JP Bizoza

Fundraising: In emergencies, orphans are always vulnerable and Covid-19 is only making their fight for survival all the more difficult. Burundi Empowerment is aware that orphans and the most vulnerable kids in Musave village live in dire situations.
In the light of COVID-19, we’ve started a fundraising campaign to help protect children and families affected by the growing spread of the virus. Burundi Empowerment aim to provide hygiene goods and essential supplies. We continue to support orphans and support them when the need is greatest.

Burundi Empowerment thank our sponsors for willingness, commitment and ability to step up to the unprecedented challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic.

What can world learn from New Zealand (by Jimi Wallace)

2019-nCov started in Wuhan, China at a seafood market. Real origin is still mysterious (heaps of conspiracy theories are still flushing globally). Hundreds of thousands affected, dead, dying, critically ill although many recovered. Most death in the over 70 group or those with underlying health issue. Health Researchers noted that people who are infected with the virus may be asymptomatic or develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath.

As of today Saturday 8th April 2020, New Zealand has been in stage 4 lockdown for 14 days. Government has closed the border to everyone but returning New Zealand nationals/residents and makes it mandatory to self-isolate for 14 days for anyone enters the country. Those without an isolation plan are put into lockdown in hotels with an arranged payment (win-win).

Panic buying set in during stage 2, 3 and at the start of stage 4 people had no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel, no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer, no flour or yeast.                            Self-distancing measures mean we must each stay in our “bubbles” consisting in households/people living together on 23.59 on Wednesday 26th March people were given 48 hours’ notice.

Over 70’s and those with underlying health issues or weakened immune systems told to self-isolate for the duration of the lockdown where possible. Till, tape on the floors at food supermarkets to help distance shoppers 2m (6ft) from each other. Limited number of people inside stores, therefore lineups outside the store doors.

Non-essential stores and businesses, trades closed. Supermarkets, pharmacies, dairies only shops allowed to open. Drs and Vets open but must phone ahead, many consultations via phone/skype etc Those who are lucky enough to have a job that is able to be done from home without the need to have physical contact are able to continue to work.

• Children’s playgrounds, bush trails, water activities, visits to the beach, swimming pools, gyms are off limits.
• Entire sports seasons cancelled.
• Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events – cancelled.
• Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings – cancelled.
• Funerals limited to only those within the deceased’s bubble. No religious services, churches, mosques, temples are closed. Schools/daycare/uni’s are all closed. No gatherings permitted. Not allowed to physically able to socialize with anyone outside of your bubble.
• When we are at supermarkets, we are to maintain a distance from each other minimum of 2m.
• Allowed outside for walks/cycling but must stay within their neighborhood and observe the 2m rule.

Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers were somehow obvious. Around the World there is a shortage of respirators, hospitals, nursing staff and Dr’s- chaos!

Wuhan, Italy, Spain, Iran, UK and USA are the worst hit so far with over 1500 000 infected Worldwide, over 83000 deaths with the youngest victim 6 weeks old. The figures from around the World show a @10% mortality rate. China claimed only 3% mortality rate which is suspected to be incorrect possibly because many died before anyone knew what it was Covid-19.

In New Zealand over 1200 infected and a very small numbers of deaths,1 majority recovered. Back to the rule above, bubbles nominate someone as their designated shopper…Supermarkets limit purchase of certain items to 2 per customer. Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses around the World switching their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.

Phone and email addresses are set up for the public to report anyone breaking isolation rules, not paying workers their government subsidized wage or for those price-gauging others.

Press conferences daily from the Prime Minister, similar like a president or head of state!

• Barely anyone in the street or on the roads.
• People wearing masks and gloves outside.
• Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.
• Medical workers are afraid to go home to their families.

Those unable to work have $580.80 for fulltime/over 20hrs and $350 for those under 20 are paid to businesses by the government with employers paying workers 80% of their wage.

This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, which was declared March 11th, 2020.

Why, you ask, do I write this status?

Answer is very simple:

– New Zealand isn’t just flattening the curve, it’s squashing it. “We are trying to do what is right for New Zealand, for New Zealand’s economy and for New Zealand’s people. if we didn’t shut down quickly enough, the pain was going to go on for a very long time”

-1day it will show up in my memory feed, and it’ll be a yearly reminder that life is precious. To not take the things we dearly love for granted.

We have so much!
Be thankful.

Be grateful.
Be kind to each other

Reflection from my previous article: Case in New Zealand

The COVID-19 is sophisticated virus. We must defeat it through multiple layers. i.e. We must seek solution from personal, national and international level!

Personal: (a) clean hands regularly with an alcohol-based rub or soap and water, (b) cover one’s mouth and nose with elbow when coughing  or sneezing, (c) stay home when one is unwell (d) avoid unnecessary travel/ large social gatherings and finally (e) comply with advice from local or national health authority.

National: (short term):  NZ authorities have lead us all the way to the victory!  The starting point should be a clear COVID-19 case definition – under WHO guideline, (real case, probable case, close, remote and casual contact etc…).  NZ already adheres to WHO recommendations, which include early detection, trace contact positive cases, quarantine and appropriate care for affected for the virus. However, a number of kiwis believe that it’s high time we aggressively and extensive tested many people in order to determine the likelihood of the community transmission.

In saying that, NZ government is reminded to balance between protecting health, minimizing economic Vs social disruption and human rights aspiration. We must comply to principles of Article 3 of the IHR (the International Health Regulations) i.e. challenge people’s actions that promote stigma or discrimination when conducting national response measures to the outbreak.

International: (long-term solution) COVID-19 can no longer be resolved by any individual country. We need WHO guidance, share responsibility, coordination and strong solidarity among nations. As I mentioned, mankind is a community with a shared future and that only through unity and coordination can humanity tackle various global risks and challenges. Finally, we may consider WAIRUA as we are fighting with the invisible enemy (who will save us?)

Remember the world is a complex place, facing complex viruses that require complex solutions, and thus we need to make complex decisions. We must think big to defeat COVID-19. We need WHO and UN ever than before! More details check the article here : http://jpbizoza.co.nz/2-uncategorised/33-covid-19-2019-ncov-or-2019-novel-coronavirus-special-report?fbclid=IwAR0e-5XlyAtULX91eTJtLSS_leIK-_dawrmkfmWfyg8Xh06fgqIfBk-Idss