Photo © RET International

Article by RET Global Communications

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI – In July, RET’s teams in Burundi carried out a series of activities across three provinces, each addressing a distinct barrier young people face in accessing education and protection.

In Rumonge, the ESBEAJ project (1) brought a theatre troupe from Bujumbura to perform for students and staff across 44 targeted schools. The performances depicted realistic school-based scenarios, followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions. Through this participatory format, students engaged with themes including the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, the fight against gender-based violence, and the adoption of responsible behaviors. The approach encouraged open dialogue and contributed to a safer, more protective school environment.

Left: Meeting and presentation to discuss project updates for NYIZERE NIGE. Right: Students in Rumonge. Photos © RET International

In the communes of Kirundo and Cibitoke, RET ran a targeted awareness campaign under the NYIZERE NIGE project (2), which supports the school reintegration of adolescent mothers at the post-fundamental level. The campaign reached adolescent mothers who had not yet returned to school, using information sessions and interactive exchanges to address the obstacles they face and to present education as a path toward autonomy and improved living conditions. Participants left with stronger motivation to resume their studies and a clearer understanding of the reintegration process available to them.

In the same two communes, RET also launched a project (3) focused on strengthening School Management Committees (CGE) and Parent Committees (CP) across 15 post-fundamental schools. This work began with an initial outreach mission to communal authorities, education directorates, and school leadership, introducing the project’s objectives and planned activities. The discussions clarified roles and responsibilities among stakeholders and gathered their expectations and recommendations, laying the groundwork for a collaborative implementation and stronger school governance going forward.

Together, these three activities reflect RET’s approach in Burundi: Reaching students directly, supporting the most excluded, and building the local structures needed to sustain change over time.

(1) The project “ESBEAJ” (“Improving education on sexual health and well-being for adolescents and youth in school settings”) is made possible with funding from UNICEF and is being implemented RET in Burundi from September 2025 to September 2026.

(2) The project “NYIZERE NIGE” (“Mobilization for the reintegration of adolescent mothers into the post-basic education cycle: Identification, support, and catch-up programs”) is made possible with funding from Enabel and is being implemented by RET in Burundi from October 2025 to April 2028.

(3) The project “Strengthening School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent Committees (PCs) in 15 targeted general and pedagogical post-basic schools in the Cibitoke and Kirundo communes” is made possible with funding from Enabel and is being implemented by RET in Burundi from June 2025 to May 2028.

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