There are students but there is no classroom, desk and even a restroom in Rundo Primary School. And there is a woman who works hard every day to make sure that her students can enjoy learning at the school. The woman is Isabella, the principal of Rundo Primary School.
[ Isabella, Principal of Rundo Primary School in Burundi. ]
Q. Introduce yourself please.
My name is Isabella Iribagiza, the principal of both Rundo Primary School and Buhororo Primary School. Although Rundo Primary School belongs to Buhororo Primary School, I hope Rundo Primary School can become an independent school. I’ve been living in Rundo for eight years, and serving as the principal of Buhororo Primary School for six years and as the principal of Rundo Primary School for five years.
Q. Would you tell me about Burundi’s political and social atmosphere?
We often see small incidents, but it’s getting much better. Bubanza, especially, is becoming more and more stabilized.
Q. Would you tell me about Rundo village?
The people here are really nice. If one needs to build something, everyone else helps him. On the other hand, the income of the people here is very small. So they can’t send their kids to school even though they really want to. Receiving education is the hardest part of their lives.
Q. Tell me about educational conditions in Burundi.
We are in a very tough condition, but we’re doing our best. I, for example, see lots of difficulties facing this Rundo Primary School. There is no classroom, no desk or chair, and even no restroom. Under this harsh condition, we’ve collected money to buy a school site for our kids.
[ Rundo Primary School has a school site, but no school building. People have collected money to buy the school site for five years. ]
Q. Please introduce Rundo Primary School.
There was no school in Rundo, so kids had to go to a school in neighboring villages, but many of them gave up going to school because it was too far. So parents in Rundo strongly urged to build a school, and this is how Rundo Primary School started. As of today, around 350 students have graduated from this school. We have teachers but no classroom. We are under a really harsh condition.
Q. How do you teach students without a classroom?
We borrow a room from nearby houses or churches.
Q. What makes you happy?
Just being a leader makes me happy. Especially as a teacher I really feel great that I’m contributing to nurturing future leaders.
[ Staff of the HUMAN IN LOVE Brundi Branch visited Rundo Primary School. (June, 2016) ]
Q. What was the saddest and toughest moment to you?
At this school? We had nothing in the beginning. People here really needed a school. So I thought the first thing to do is to buy land, but even buying land itself was really hard because people here earn so little. They tried their best to collect money to buy land but it took as long as five years. However, we couldn’t afford to start construction because the budget was so tight.
Q. I heard that you are never giving up on teaching children even though you aren’t paid. What makes you so passionate about teaching?
I do it because I’ve seen firsthand that children face so much trouble going to school. I’m doing everything I can to help kids go to school.
Q. What does Rundo Primary School plan for the future?
I want to make sure that our students can feel proud of their school and perform well abroad.
[ Stones and bricks that people have gathered. ]
Q. What’s your resolution or plan?
I hope our students can become a great leader and talented person and that Rundo Primary School can provide kindergarten and secondary education. I also hope that I can contribute to producing great leaders who perform better than me.
Q. Thanks to the support of HUMAN IN LOVE, it was possible to build Rundo Primary School. Please give a brief message to the supporters.
We are deeply grateful for your support. I believe HUMAN IN LOVE supporters show great love that deserves the name human in love. Please remember our kids in Rundo and we would be appreciated if you support them too. Thank you.
