Umunyinya launches its project in a Caring Center in Bujumbura

It was this Tuesday 1^st august 2017. Umunyinya launches its project “Ngira nk’abandi” in Giriyuja center with a ‘Hello Show to capture the attention of the project beneficiaries.  The project will be made of three main activities: theatre, dance and song. 

The project aims at empowering the children visiting that center by giving them access to art. This would help them to rebuild their lost personality and revisit their talent, and so, use them in the development of the country. “Those children are always desperate, with no plan for their future. But, with art, they would gain confidence and start to think for their future and sometimes, make use of their talent.” , says Ms Edrine Irimbere, the Legal representative of Umunyinya.

The project consists of providing a workshop to the street children in three artistic domains: theatre, dance and song.  The workshops will be held at Giriyuja center during a month and will be concluded by a performance by the trained children. 

The project started with a two-day visit to make sure they understand the kids and that the kids are confident with them.  

Ngira nk’abandi was launched at Giriyuja; but, it is meant to be executed in other centers with vulnerable children. “We chose this center as our pilot center because it has many street children endangered by their situation of vulnerability and it was the first center which welcomed us when we met Pr Sylvère Suguru , its legal representative. “, said Edrine Irimbere. 

“Hello show”, the paramount strategy

Umunyinya comedians performing in front of dozens of children

“We decided to start by saying Hello to the kids, as a way of getting acquaintance with them”, Says Arthur Banshayeko, the project coordinator and Theatre director in Umunyinya.  During the show, the street children were happy to see the comedians of Umunyinya acting the street children. They could not help laughing at a group of comedians singing and dancing during the show and when they used their jargons. This means that they will be happy doing the same and that they will enjoy the workshop.

Working with children in streets is very difficult. However, Umunyinya members are optimistic considering the interest they read on the faces of kids during the “Hello show”.  “It will be a hard task but we will manage to make it”, uttered Elysée Nimubona.

Umunyinya was founded by University students eager to empower vulnerable children in 2014. At the end of 2016, it got a legal authorization to operate in Burundi.