HERRIDGE TECHNICAL SCHOOL (HTS) BURUNDI

School supported entirely by charitable donations through ACTS (African Christian Teaching Service)

Herridge Technical School is a secondary school in Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Burundi has suffered for many years from civil war and genocide. As a result, many children were made orphans or refugees in their own country living in displacement camps with little adult support. HTS, supported by the ACTS charity, was opened in 2007 next to a displacement camp in Karuzi, starting with sixty orphan or destitute students. It was able to provide them with a free secondary education in a Christian environment. The school has continued to keep to these objectives for the last 16 years. The students receive a very good education, at no cost to themselves or their family, and they are able to acquire skills(mainly in catering) that allow them to earn a living.

This year there are 96 students in school - 64 girls and 32 boys ranging in age between 15 and 23 and good academic standards are being maintained. A random Education department inspection in January found the school was meeting all its educational expectations. 26 boys and girls will graduate in July, and they have successfully completed their work experience in hotels in 4 provinces in Burundi. It is hoped that they will all find jobs in hotels and catering establishments. Depending on their achievements in the National exams, some may be able to go on to university.

As elsewhere, Burundi is suffering a serious food crisis. Prices have risen over 30% over the past year and although 90% of the population is involved in agriculture, people are starving because they can’t afford the food prices. Burundi has no social security system. The severe recent weather has not helped, and the rapidly increasing petrol price contributed to the soaring costs. Georgette Butera (a founder of the school) is in Burundi now, and is helping to source the best prices for non-perishable items such as beans and maize flour which can be stored for the next academic year. Sweet potatoes have been added to the beans, cabbage, avocados and banana crops already being grown in the grounds. At one point, beef meat and milk consumption were banned as the cattle were dying from cow fever. This situation is now somewhat easier, although costs remain prohibitive.

The school’s outreach to the local community is also thriving. The Bible Study group is growing and 300 people regularly pack into the school hall for Sunday prayers. The school was given a drum kit earlier in the year for use in worship - a very popular addition to the equipment, and 6 students are being trained as drummers. And they have all reached advanced levels. This has resulted in the formation of a cultural singing and dancing club, accompanied by the drummers.

To meet the expectations of the government education service, plans have been initiated to increase the numbers at the school. This is proposed to be made possible by building some dormitory accommodation, with appropriate facilities. The intention was to approach trusts and foundations to help fund the building work required.
Unfortunately, these plans are on hold at the moment, because of a lack of response from the known trusts that have provided funds in the past. The present
trustees are continuing to make further approaches, but additional trustees and an I.T. specialist are urgently needed to help drive this along.

Can we please ask you to pray that there will continue to be enough funds to allow the school to keep operating with its current level of achievement. We also pray that people will come forward to be Trustees, and to assist the plans to increase the school numbers.

For more information about about our other mission partners go to the Mission Partners page