An Old Burundian Proverb

“If you have food for two, you have food for five.”  -Burundian Proverb

Mama Georgette remembers learning this proverb as a child. It seems to her that sharing meals and caring for others were part of the fabric of Burundian life during her childhood years. (See our earlier blog post Showing Hospitality In Burundi.)

Today, genocide, poverty, and malnutrition have reshaped their culture. A “scarcity mindset” replaced generosity or hospitality. Most Burundians wonder daily where their next meal might come from. Survival is always at the forefront of every decision.

In response to this, Mama Georgette founded a food distribution program. Since late 2016, she has partnered with local churches that host bi-monthly Bible Clubs. Six hundred children not only gather to sing and learn Bible stories; they also depart with a two-week supply of food for themselves.

As Burundi’s situation seems to worsen with each passing year, joblessness and food shortages have become widespread. BMP has been informed that not only are the children eating a meal each day, but multiple other family members, including siblings, parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles, are also eating. In other words, one plate, six spoons.

The mystery is that no child or family member has ever asked us for a larger supply of food. Our conclusion: WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS MUST BE MULTIPLYING THIS FOOD! (He’s done that in the past, right?) There is just no other explanation.

And so, the Old Burundian Proverb holds true. Or maybe the new proverb is: “If you feed one meal to a child, you feed the whole family”.

Burundi Miracle Project invites YOU to support our food program in March. For only twenty-five cents a day, YOU can feed a child. For $25 = 100 meals, or $250 = 1000 meals ! Now that’s a big bang for your buck!