On Buruhukiro hill, in the very densely populated city of Rumonge in southern Burundi, the situation is difficult, if not explosive.

This city is witnessing the return of Burundians who, in 1972, were forced to quickly flee the country and seek refuge in one of the camps in neighbouring Tanzania.


"In 1972, there were 20,000. Today, 400,000 have arrived or are en route," estimates Jean Buregeya. Indeed, 80% of the population of Rumonge left the country in 1972, in the midst of an ethnic conflict.

"A family of four left. Almost 40 years later, that same family, which is now 25 to 30 members strong, is returning," adds the man in charge of looking after the repatriates for the local division of Ligue ITEKA, a human rights advocacy group supported by Development and Peace.

There are many problems. After so many years, the land they once lived on is now occupied by others or has been claimed by the State to establish public services, such as a school.

The exiled squeeze into Ligue ITEKA’s minuscule offices to get some assistance. Many were born during the Tanzanian exodus and are more fluent in English than French or Kirundi. Not one is familiar with Burundian laws governing land ownership. The Ligue ITEKA’s counsellors listen to the complaints, explain the laws and regulations, provide transportation to government offices and guide the former refugees through the process of having their land ownership rights recognized. However, they also take in the current residents, as they, too, have certain rights.

In the main hall of the youth centre, a former refugee complains that he was treated better in Tanzania and does not understand why the authorities who accompanied him during his return from exile are now gone. Some 50 men and women, both repatriates and residents, are there, on invitation from Ligue ITEKA.

The aim of the gathering is to find lasting and non-violent solutions to the land access problem.

Outside, women mind bundles of wood and a few chairs and tables. Their families brought them back from Tanzania to rebuild their homes. And more families will be joining them tomorrow.

The Ligue ITEKA’s administrators are visibly concerned, especially with an election looming. Politicians are unabashedly playing the ethnic card to win votes: "Vote for me and you’ll have your land" or "vote for me and you won’t lose your land."

For their part, the counsellors at Ligue ITEKA are trying to come up with non‑violent, sustainable and lawful solutions. This situation is a matter of urgency.

After 15 years of civil war,Burundi held a UN-supervised election in 2005. Another election is planned for 2010 and preparations are already underway. ITEKA, with funding assistance from D&P, works in areas such as: educating the rural population on their rights as citizens, calling for an end to official corruption and political violence, reconciliation between former combattants, and promoting women's rights and security.


With so many crushing problems facing this country of 9 million people (almost half under the age of 14 ), it is easy to conclude that things appear "hopeless". But with the work of ITEKA and other D&P partners, things are more "hopeful" as Dr. Nahimana looks to a better life for his chilren in the future.

Pat Hogan
President, National Council

Learn more about the ITEKA League

"Life is a constant struggle. No one escapes it," spontaneously affirms Pélagie, our Burundian guide, during this two-hour car trek that leads us to Rwanda’s doorstep.

We are going to meet the people in charge of two projects supported by Development and Peace: a federation of coffee growers that allows for more equitable remuneration for small producers, and a micro-finance service comparable to the humble beginnings of community-based credit unions.

Our guide’s heartfelt cry sums up the incessant activity on either side of the winding road that takes us through Burundi’s high hills. It is a constant fight for survival, a battle against misery. We witness a long line of women and young girls dressed in flowing, colourful clothing, balancing heavy loads on their heads (wood, water, etc.), and even babies on their backs at times.
Young folks on bicycles pass by, carrying heavier loads still and often working in pairs to push the bicycle over great distances, until they reach the top of the hill.

And then there are the children, barefoot, and all the farmers in the fields.

How can one possibly remain indifferent when confronted with such courage and such a fighting spirit?

How can we not ask God to help us show more solidarity towards our brothers and sisters on Earth?

Most Rev. Pierre-André Fournier, Archbishop of Rimouski

Pierre Claver Ndayicariye needs 43 million dollars, fast. It is not for him, of course, but for the organization of which he is president, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), which is charged with ensuring all the elements are in place that will make it possible to hold elections in mid 2010. 'The clock is ticking,” says Pierre carefully in the office where he received the Canadian delegation.

He has already obtained support from various donor countries, including Norway and Switzerland. He did not name Canada though, and clearly, it was not an oversight.

Like the Civil Society Coalition for Elections Monitoring (COSOME), an organization supported by Development and Peace, the CENI will organize civic education sessions.

The COSOME was present at the 2005 elections, where it deployed 1,200 observers (30% of polling stations). For 2010, the aim is to cover all polling stations.

A large and, more importantly, non-partisan coalition, the COSOME brings together various social groups. The bishops of Burundi, through their Justice and Peace Commission, take part in the COSOME’s work.

(Photo: Poster used by COSOME trainers in workshops on the election process. All Burundians, regardless of ethnic or religious background, have the same rights.)

In the crammed room that serves as the Kamenge Youth Centre (CJK) office, the visitor’s eye is immediately drawn to the tall bookshelf and its small boxes filled with orange cards.

Each laminated and numbered card features the name and photo of every CJK member since it opened its doors in 1993. There are over 32,000 cards.

Since its opening just a few days before war broke out in the country, thousands of young people have participated in the Centre’s activities. People flock here to practice sports, take classes, watch movies or learn about computers. But, according to Father Claudio Marano, "they come here to learn how to live together," regardless of ethnic origin, religious beliefs or political leanings.

The members of the delegation are impressed by the sheer number of members and this mountain of orange cards. "There are other cards you haven’t seen," says Father Claudio, before leading the group to a bulletin board in the hallway next to the entrance. Over 200 cards are pinned to the board. They represent all the Centre’s members who were killed during the war. Silence.

Learn more about the CJK

Immediately upon their arrival in Bujumbura, Burundi, after a full night spent in airports and on planes, the members of the delegation were brought to the Kamenge Youth Centre (CJK), a commune in the city’s north end.

There, a surprise awaited them.

Every Sunday morning, members and participants in the workshops and leisure activities offered by the CJK attend mass. This morning, there were 450 of them crowded into a small auditorium, singing, clapping or dancing to loud, rhythmic music.

Most Rev. Pierre-André Fournier, member of the delegation, thanked all of the young people present for their warm welcome, but mostly for their commitment to the activities organized by the CJK. "The people of Canada will not forget you," affirmed Rimouski’s Archbishop.

After a meal and two hours of rest, the members of the delegation were taken on a tour of the city’s various neighbourhoods.

Learn more about the CJK

Here’s a new challenge—as if there weren’t enough already—for Caritas Zambia: the 2011 elections are quickly approaching.

The organization has extensive experience in this field; since 2001, it has been organizing a civic education program known as the Parliamentary Liaison Program. On the agenda: meetings with deputies, public forums where citizens and politicians debate hot issues, and awareness-building on the importance of voting. 

But for 2011, our wish is for Caritas to remain involved during and after the elections.  This involvement would include monitoring polling stations, analyzing the results and, most importantly, evaluating the first decisions made by the newly elected.

About 20 people work for this organization, which also does work in the area food security, offers paralegal advice to those who cannot afford legal services, and speaks up to denounce corruption and unjust laws.

This organization is one of Development and Peace’s partners and their Web site may be visited at www.caritaszambia.org.zm

Photo: Caritas Zambia’s personnel and members of the Canadian delegation.

The following headline appears on the front page of The Post: “Appealing shouldn't be controversial, says Emily.” No last name, just a first name.   

But in Zambia, everyone knows Emily Sikazwe, General Director of Women for Change (WfC), and members of the mission will be meeting her in just a few minutes.

Once the gates open, they are greeted by several dozen dancing and singing women and men. And for a good part of the day, each one of these individuals shares their view on this grassroots educational organization

There is much talk of equality between women and men, the participation of women in social life, the protection of the sick and poorest, and the care of AIDS orphans.

Emily spoke briefly, with a voice that has made many politicians tremble. But it is mostly ordinary women who took the floor.

Speaking of The Post’s front page, there is a mention of Caritas Zambia and of its Director Sam Mulafulafu at the bottom of the page. We will be meeting him tomorrow.

Each parish in Zambia’s 10 dioceses has a social justice committee that urges Catholics to give concrete expression to their faith.

Their commitment to matters of social justice addresses many different issues, such as copper mine worker’s rights, the deplorable conditions of prisoners, women’s equality, the poverty and conditions of farmers, as well as a genuine preoccupation with the future constitution of the country!

This was the message conveyed to the members of the Canadian delegation by P. Joseph Komakoma, General Secretary of the Zambian Episcopal Conference, who, before holding this post, was the National Director of the Justice and Peace organization. He has travelled to each diocese to set up committees.

The Zambian government takes the Catholic Church’s recommendations seriously because its analysis rests on facts. The Church has a great deal of credibility and has become a major player in the social issues of Zambia.

Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H.

Photo:  P. Joseph Komakoma offers a book containing the pastoral letters and Zambian bishops’ declarations pertaining to the social teachings of the Church.

The sun was just rising as our plane took off from Lusaka for Ndola and Zambia’s Copperbelt region. Our visit was centred on the copper industry and the conditions of miners whose situations have changed since the privatization of the industry in the 1990s.

As our plane touched down, we were warmly greeted by Bishop Noel O'Regan and the staff of the Diocese of Ndola, who took us to the mining town of Kitwe.

While Zambia is blessed with many natural resources, it is unable to fully benefit from them because of the terms of their agreements with mining companies. As well, since privatization, miners do not have the same social benefits they had when the mines were government-owned.

Our visit with an economist, Professor John Lungu and meeting with the Mineworkers’ Union helped us to understand this complex reality. It was encouraging to see that, through Caritas Ndola, the Catholic Church is actively involved in analysis and advocacy regarding this important issue.

We returned to Lusaka, tired but much more informed about this critical sector of the Zambian economy.

Archbishop Brendan M. O'Brien

Immediately upon her arrival in Ndola, Mary Nordick, a director of the Catholic Women's League of Canada, seeks out Christine Chanda, a member of the Catholic Women's League of Zambia for the past 25 years. 

The president of the Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia, Rayford Mbulu, does not mince words when it comes to the social investments of foreign mining companies in Zambia. "The local population does not receive benefits. There is a serious lack of social responsibility on the part of these companies." Most Rev. Brendan M. O'Brien, Archbishop of Kingston, and Msgr Mario Paquette, General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops are listening to the union leader. 

Most Rev. Pierre-André Fournier, Archbishop of Rimouski, is talking to the bishop of Ndola, Most Rev. Noel O’Regan, SMA.

There are several copper mines on this diocese’s territory and the working conditions there are difficult. Who owns these mines? Zambian companies? Very few. By and large, they belong to Chinese, Australian, Indian, South African and, of course, Canadian companies.

Welcome: friendly greetings and smiles all around, whether from official greeters, gatekeepers, soldiers at the High Commission or passersby.

Walking: people walk, everywhere, everyone, any time. They walk beside the long deserted road from the airport, along busy city streets, women carrying bundles on their heads, teetering in high heels, men in business suits or work clothes, children of all ages, one old woman leaning on a cane, mostly young men and women, singly, in pairs, in groups.

Waiting: people sitting at corners, by the side of the road, in the back of trucks, by roadside stands with goods for sale (clothing, furniture, charcoal, tomatoes, phone cards, fruit), talking, reading newspapers, resting.

Working: selling goods, breaking up stones, women sweeping streets, serving, watering lawns.

Wonder: loveliness of lavender, purple haze of blossoms on tall trees, flowering shrubs and trees, red, orange and yellow, vibrant against the dull brown of dry season.

Words: clear, articulate presentations on problems and the potential of the country, conveying faith, commitment, promise and hope.

Mary Nordick

At the end of each month, Raphael Sailota Phiri goes to several food markets in Lusaka and takes note of the price of eggs, fresh milk, sugar, tea and a dozen other products that form the basics of an average family of six’s nutritional needs.

Then, he inquires about the average monthly cost of charcoal, soap, electricity, water supply service and lodging for a typical family.

Lastly, he calculates the monthly wages that farm day labourers, security guards—they are everywhere here, in front of every building—nurses or teachers can expect to take home.

And every month, the amount of kwachas (Zambia’s currency) earned is not enough to pay for the market basket.

This grid, called the Basic Needs Basket, is produced by the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a partner that received a visit today from the members of the delegation.

Photo: Miniva Chibuye, responsible for the social conditions program of the JCTR, and Raphael Sailota Phiri, researcher.

Learn more about the JCTR

Following three presentations on the Economic Justice Program of Caritas Zambia and on the political climate in this country, Pat Hogan, President of National Council said these words:

“In saying words of appreciation for these three excellent presentations on the Zambian context of our work, I am reminded of my mother's words... "don't wash your dirty laundry in public…" by which, of course, she meant that private family matters should not be spoken of outside the four walls of our home, especially our failings and shortcomings.”

Tonight, we have heard three eloquent "washings of our dirty laundry"—the many and serious challenges that Zambian citizens face 45 years after independence.

But as I listened, I began to feel humbled, respectful and empathetic, and certainly not judgmental. You boldly and courageously named the issues and pulled no punches. Your challenges are doubtless great.

But you did not stop there. You also spoke of efforts to organize, to devise responses and to move forward toward a better tomorrow.

And I reminded myself that we, too, in Canada could also “wash our dirty laundry," when I think of the challenges we face surrounding our First Nations, poverty reduction, the environment, and the list goes on.

All this I say so that we, at Development and Peace, can assure you that we stand in solidarity with you in these struggles. Because we are family... you, here in Zambia, and we, in Canada. We are partners. We are brothers and sisters of the same loving God, our father.

So, yes, thank you for "washing your dirty laundry," not in front of strangers, but in solidarity, with your brothers and sisters from Canada.

Pat Hogan

Upon arriving in Lusaka, in Zambia, on Tuesday morning, the delegation went directly to the Apostolic Nunciature. Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, nuncio for the country since 2006, was eager to greet the team.

"I am so happy for this visit. It is an important meeting for us. Zambia is often put aside by European and North American countries," he declared, regretting the diminishing of development aid to Africa. The Apostolic Nuncio presented a special gift, an ebony statue of Our Lady of Africa, to the President of Development and Peace, Pat Hogan, and was joined by the Executive Director, Michael Casey.