The Life of Orphans in Burundi
The war which lasted more than 10 years in Burundi, with HIV/AIDS devastating families are the major causes of the existence of a big number of orphans. Many children lost their parents after the 1993 crisis, an ethnic crisis in which many Tutsi have been killed. Other children are made orphans by HIV/AIDS and are most of them are HIV positive. The situation of orphans in Burundi is not problematic for many associations have been created since 1993 to help children victims of the war. Unfortunately, all needy children cannot be sheltered in orphanage. There are Esome who are not accepted just because the limited space. Despite the existence of orphanages, children are yet unsatisfied. They say that nothing can replace their parents. Anniella and kessy are two children living in orphanage. The following is their opinion about their life in orphanage:

Lyse: Aniella, when did you start living in an orphanage?
Aniella: I was received here in 1993 when the crisis started in Burundi. I was five while I am now nineteen years old.
Lyse: have you gone to school?
Aniella: Yes of course! And I thank my lord just because many children didn’t continue their studies after their parent’s death.
Lyse: and how is life in orphanage like?
Aniella: Not too bad. We are fed, educated and given a job when we finish our studies. We thank all those who are helping us.
Lyse: I heard that many orphanages are planning to send back many children to their families of origin and help them there. What do you think of this?
Aniella: This will be a very good idea if really orphanages are planning to help us in our respective families. In fact as you know it, many families cannot receive extra children because they live in extreme poverty. Sometimes, it is worth living in orphanage than in family. However, it is also good to regain our families of origin because we will be able to secure our inheritance.
Lyse: What do you wish to have in your life?
Aniella: I wish to have my own family, children and a good job.

Speaking of Kessy: He is an HIV positive orphan. His parents died when he was 7 and now he’s 13.
Lyse: Kessy, when did you lose your parents?
Kessy: I don’t remember exactly but…I probably was 7 years old.
Lyse: What happened here?
Kessy: The FVS which as you know is engaged in the fight of AIDS and an association which helps children victims of AIDS accepted to receive me and my two brothers after an investigation they conducted to be sure that we were victims of AIDS.
Lyse: Do you continue with your studies?
Kessy: Yes I continue my studies but I don’t know whether I will come to the end because I am not in good health.
Lyse: There many children around you. How do you feel Mrs Kessy?
Kessy: I feel okay, but I always regret when I remember that I am HIV positive.
Lyse: Do you easily get medicines?
Kessy: Not yet, but we every HIV positive child will start taking medicines from next year on.
Lyse: What kind of message do you have for parents throughout the world?
Kessy: I advise them to make an HIV test before they think of having a baby. To those who are infected, I advise them to take medicines and protect their children.

Aline NDEMEYE is a supervisor in F.V.S and she confirms that their task is not so easy. I could say that it is not easy to educate children from different age categories. We do our best but sometimes the outcome is not satisfying. We in addition have the problem of funds and it is sometimes difficult to find backers to help us satisfy needs of our children. We are now planning to send back children in their families of origin and help them there. It is worth mentioning that a good number of orphans are still homeless and that even orphanages are not ready to receive them. Lyse Iradukunda