Market Fire

On January 27, 2013 a major fire destroyed the main market in Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi Africa. This fire had a devastating impact on over 5000 vendors who depended on the market for their livelihood. With no insurance to protect their businesses, many of the vendors have been unable to return to business. Local banks began to seize the vendor’s homes as repayment for their loans.

In August 2013, three organizations formed a partnership with the trade union that represents the market vendors. Through this partnership, CAPS, SHAPE, and SHINE are committed to help train and equip the vendors so they can rebuild their businesses.

Life Excellence Center

The first phase of our plan is to sign a purchase contract for land that is being rented by our partner in Burundi, SHINE. The land is located in the capital city of Bujumbura and already has two classrooms, an office, and space for 100 students. The purchase contract will allow us to establish a Life Excellence Center. The funds we raise will be used for a down payment on the land and classrooms.

The Life Excellence Center will allow us to expand our current training programs in Burundi. In addition to training students in hair dressing, soap manufacturing, and solar lamp sales, we will add jobs skills training for furniture making, electrical skills, and financial management. We plan to work with the Trade Union to provide the membership base of 3000 vendors with job skills and business management training.

Above: Meeting in August 2013 to discuss a partnership to rebuild the market and train vendors. Sidney Ihebura (Trade Union Chaplain), Jean Marie Nibizi (SHINE President), Amy Erickson (CAPS President), John Mann (SHAPE International President), Audace Bizbishaka (Trade Union President), Florent BizBishaka (translator)