Jeanine has been at the blind school since Feb 2007 and is in Class 1. She was born blind and is small & shy but is adjusting well to school. She enjoys playing and singing with the other students as well as 'pretending' to cook. Jeanine has six siblings and lives at home when not in school. Her father sells vegetables at the market and her mother is a subsistence farmer. Please pray that someone will sponsor Jeanine and for her spiritual understanding.

Gihanga Blind School
Burundi, Africa

a ministry partner of Allow The Children

The Gihanga Blind School (GBS) was established in 1978 as a ministry of Emmanuel Association of Churches and is the only academic school for the blind in Burundi. Gihanga is a farming community about 12 miles north of the capital, Bujumbura, and is known as a dry and poor area.

The school property is about nine acres enclosed on three sides by a security wall, with the last section to be built soon. This Christian, residential school has three buildings of typical Burundian construction, handmade brick walls with concrete floors and a zinc roof. The school is positioned to accept additional students and the director is actively seeking more children. Also envisioned for the school is a much needed multi-purpose building that will house a chapel, dining room, kitchen, storeroom & office. Vegetables are grown on campus for the school & for market, and there are mango, banana & papaya trees.

GBS was severely affected by the 12-years of civil war and additional loss of funding following the 9-11 attack in the USA. Half of the children and staff were sent home and then the decision was made to close down. Without some help the churches could not continue the school. But, by the grace of God, GBS became a ministry partner with Allow The Children (ATC) in late 2005 and today the school is growing and improved in all areas.

Child sponsors with ATC are providing a regular base of financial assistance that has facilitated the return of the lost students & staff, and are helping to assure adequate food & clothes for the children. General donations to Burundi General Fund that are designated to GBS, will help repair the facilities, and provide special blind teaching materials and additional training for the teachers. The student body is now growing and weaving skills are being taught to the older kids.

Child sponsors strengthen every activity of the school and help give the children a stable environment in which to grow mentally, physically & spiritually, and to become a productive member of Burundian society. The financial gifts and prayers of sponsors are tangible fruits of the love & grace of God, and demonstrate His approval as we join together to allow the children to come unto Him.