Fund the Building of a Pastoral Center in Burundi
The small African nation of Burundi is one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries. It has recently been plagued by massacres, bloody unrest, and political crises; hundreds of thousands of people have either died or been forced to flee. A civil war that lasted from 1993 to 2005 left deep wounds, in both society and individual lives.
The Sisters of Our Lady of Schönstatt have been working in Burundi since 1962. Initially, they cared primarily for the sick and the poor, but they later became involved in the family, youth, and women’s apostolate, as the need for help in these areas became more apparent. Today, there are several hundred lay groups under the Sisters’ guidance: for young people, mothers, single women, female academics and female students. Members are growing in the faith and finding strength and inspiration for a good and meaningful life.
For the past three years, three Burundian Sisters have served in the Diocese of Muyinga. This northern region is poor, but the Sisters are undeterred.
They do, however, need a new place to live. They currently reside in a small and altogether inadequate apartment, where they also host parish gatherings. But they will have to vacate shortly, since the owner has other plans for it. And without this space, their work cannot properly continue.
The Sisters have decided to build a pastoral center where group meetings, retreats, workshops, and other events can be held. The center will have a garden, too, so that course participants can withdraw to a place of quiet or enjoy outdoor group activities.
We are offering to contribute $236,800 to the project.
Will you help these Sisters build their new pastoral center to better serve the people of Burundi?
Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.
Code: 112-05-19
