Village Health Works:
Women's Agricultural Training Program
Location:
Village of Kigutu (and surrounding areas), Burundi
Timeline:
September 2010 - December 2013 (ongoing)
Funding:
EPN Annual Development Dinner, McGill EPN Chapter's 'Dating Auction' Fundraiser, EPN's Holiday Cards Fundraiser Campaign 2011, McGill EPN Chapter's 'Fashion Night for Burundi' Fundraiser, Public Donations
Latest Update:
March 2012 marked the launch of the third round Women's Agricultural Training Program! And former graduates have actively taken part in assisting and teaching the new students.
WHO AND WHAT IS VILLAGE HEALTH WORKS?
Village Health Works (VHW) was founded by Deogratias Niyizonkiza, a young Burundian man who fled from his war-torn country to America in 1993. The non-profit organization based in the U.S. established a multifaceted program in Burundi to help develop the village of Kigutu, as well as its surrounding villages. VHW tackles issues from healthcare, food security, to education, while addressing social and economic needs. The commendable accomplishments of VHW include clinical facilities, a drinkable water system, and a malnutrition center, just to name a few. To learn more about the outstanding achievements of Village Health Works, visit their website at: www.VillageHealthWorks.org.
EPN'S INVOLVEMENT
We are extremely happy and honoured to be working with Village Health Works on the collaborate effort to better the conditions of the village of Kigutu (and surrounding areas) in Burundi. EPN is proudly funding the Women’s Agricultural Training Program offered by VHW’s Food Security Program. The program teaches (mostly) women agricultural skills and educates them on issues such as healthy nutrition, animal husbandry, and the importance of passing their knowledge onto others. This project is funded by the largest financial budget EPN has undertaken to date, and it has unmistakably been a great investment. It did not take long for us to begin seeing the signs of long-term positive impacts in the communities of Kigutu, Kirungu, Mugara, and other surrounding areas. And we're excited to share the impressive development of this project with you. We've compiled a summary of the project's progress up to August 2011. Click below to...
SEE THE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH OF THIS PROJECT.
(attached article - see bottom of page)
Women's Agricultural Training Program, Class 1 Graduates, June 2011. (Image Courtesy of VHW)
This project is set to last until 2013. If you enjoyed reading about the positive impacts this project has had on the citizens of Kigutu, and if you would like to help, please visit Donate. Any amount of donation will be immensely appreciated.
Thank you for reading about our joint venture in Burundi. Come back soon for updates!
-The Grassroots Projects Team
Last updated: May 15, 2012.
Written by: Cindy Huang
Attached article: "Cultivating Communities from the Ground Up: A Progress Summary of the Women's Agricultural Training Program (September 2010 to August 2011)" By Cindy Huang, 10.19.11.
