Kings School and Lake Tanganyika

Today has been amazing. This morning we had a visit to Kings school, a Christian School based in Bujumbura. We have seen how hard everyone at ARM has worked and what they've achieved. God has really blessed their work. Their numbers have grown from 7 to 250 children since they began. 

We were shown around the different sites  of the Kings school by Dr Aline, Jane (the administrator) and Eddie (a French teacher). 

The Secondary School site is impressive and the dream is to expand it further. Jane explained to us that they need funding to complete a building that can be used for the staff that will free up more space in the rest of the school for classrooms. 

Education is such an essential part of helping people out of poverty. I think I am right in writing that only 40% of Burundi children have access to education because it is just too expensive. At the Kings school they take fee-paying pupils, but they also give free education via scholarships to students who couldn't otherwise afford it. It's a real balancing act. Wealthier people want to send their children to Kings because it is an excellent school and it teaches in English (most other schools teach in French), but the heart of the school is to educate those who wouldn't otherwise receive it. The fee-payers subsidise the scholarships. So, as Peter J said "If you pray for wisdom, remember to pray for Jeremy Wisdom [the head at Kings School]"

Despite many of the pupils paying fees, the school still requires donations of money and equipment. We were able to give the school the physics equipment that Margaret Edwards had managed to get hold of. A donation from an organisation called Samaritans Feet provided 30 computers for the school - an incredible investment in the future of the pupils at the school.

We also visited the other school sites. We saw the original school where the first 7 students started. Now it is used as a Junior School. We also looked around the site of the Nursery and the Infant School buildings. Praise God that the school has grown so much! 

This afternoon we went to Lake Tanganyika. It was absolutely beautiful (apart from the odd crocodile) with sandy beaches and palm trees.

The road to get there is another story. We complain about potholes, but they have craters! Most people travel by bicycle. On different, single, bicycles, we have seen: 

a family of 4

a man with three chickens

two 'racks' of bananas

bales of grass

two mattresses

The additional danger on the roads other than the potholes is the lack of lights on these bicycles when night falls. 

One of the difficult things about today has been seeing the contrast between rich and poor. Beautiful, big houses overlook men fixing bicycles for others by the side of the road. People begging are juxtaposed with an amazing hotel 'oasis' with a swimming pool. Because we are unused to this place, the difference is stark. It's not dissimilar to seeing a homeless person in London, but the divide between rich and poor here is obvious to our eyes. 

Tomorrow we go to church. It is a big celebration as it is the 21st birthday of Eglise Vivante. It could a long service. We were told this by an African. This means it will be very long (Dr Aline estimated that from a 9.00am start, the service would probably go on until 4pm. Or longer.) We have been graciously advised to make an exit between midday and 1pm but to be ready to dance until then!

On a completely separate note, Bosco has given Jon the nickname "The Bulldozer". 

Fee joins us tomorrow morning. Our prayers are that her flight has been good and that she's not too exhausted by an arduous journey. Our team will soon be complete. 

Annette and Matt