Restoring Dignity through Education and Basic Needs

In Burundi, poverty remains one of the greatest barriers to education. Many children lack the most basic school materials—uniforms, shoes, or notebooks—forcing thousands to drop out of school or resort to begging on the streets. This challenge is especially acute in rural provinces such as Makamba (Gasaka, Nyanza-Lac), Rutana-Gihofi, Karusi, and Cibitoke, where families struggle daily to meet their needs and school enrollment rates remain below the national average.

WiGLI’s Response

At WiGLI, we believe that every child deserves dignity, hope, and a fair chance to learn. Guided by Burundi’s national education priorities and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities), we mobilized friends and partners to provide children with clothes, shoes, school bags, notebooks, and other supplies.

By removing one of the most persistent barriers to education—the lack of basic learning materials—WiGLI gave vulnerable children the opportunity to return to school, regain confidence, and embrace the dignity of being students again.

Impact Achieved

Over a two-year period, WiGLI’s initiative reached an estimated 9,850 of the most vulnerable children and families across these provinces. Together, we have:

  • Restored dignity and reduced school absenteeism.
  • Protected children from the risks of child labor and street begging.
  • Enabled children once excluded from school to now attend classes with confidence.
  • Renewed families’ hope, reassuring parents that their children’s future is valued and supported.

Contribution to National & Global Priorities

WiGLI’s school supply distribution directly reinforces the Government of Burundi’s goal of universal primary education by addressing poverty as a root cause of school dropout. By relieving economic pressure on vulnerable households, this initiative advances SDG 1 (No Poverty), ensuring families are not forced to choose between survival and education.

By equipping children with essential school materials, WiGLI contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education), promoting equitable access and participation in learning. And by targeting marginalized children in underserved provinces, we advance SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), ensuring those often left behind—street children, orphans, and returnees—are included in the national and global education agenda.

The Way Forward

This initiative is more than a donation—it is a pathway to restoring dignity, building resilience, and creating opportunities for children to thrive. With stronger partnerships and expanded resources, WiGLI is committed to scaling this model nationwide to ensure that no child in Burundi is left behind.