In 2024, Maison Shalom played a key role in the education and economic empowerment of young Burundian refugees in Rwanda. Thanks to its efforts, more than 7,000 young people were able to continue their education or benefit from vocational training. However, despite these achievements, the organization faces persistent challenges, particularly due to the political context surrounding its founder.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

For many young Burundian refugees in Rwanda, Maison Shalom represents a true source of hope. In 2024, the NGO supported more than 7,000 young people in their educational pursuits, whether at the primary, secondary, university, or vocational training levels.

Deprived of education due to their exile and financial difficulties, more than 75% of these young people had dropped out of school before fleeing Burundi. Claude Niyonzima is one of those who was able to resume their studies thanks to this organization.

« When I was forced into exile, I didn’t know how to continue my secondary education. Fortunately, I was able to continue in Rwanda. After secondary school, I had the opportunity to attend university, in the Business Economics Department of the Faculty of Banking and Finance. Once again, Maison Shalom was there to support me throughout my studies, » he says in the NGO’s 2024 annual report.

Now a graduate, he appreciates the importance of the support he received: « This support has been decisive in my life. I am deeply grateful to Maison Shalom for allowing me to build a future despite the obstacles. »

Vocational training, an essential alternative

The NGO does not limit itself to formal education. It also offers vocational training to those who were unable to continue their education. More than 4,000 young people have acquired skills in various fields : agriculture, small livestock farming, masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, culinary arts, multimedia, IT, mechanics, and painting.

Economic empowerment of refugees

Maison Shalom has established income-generating activities to promote the self-sufficiency of refugees. A budget of nearly 100 million Rwanda francs has been invested in projects benefiting more than 2,600 vulnerable people, particularly in the Mahama camp, which hosts more than 63,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees, as well as urban refugees.

Persistent challenges

Despite these achievements, the challenges remain immense. Rwanda hosts more than 50,000 Burundian refugees, and available resources are insufficient to cover all their educational and economic empowerment needs.

Beneficiaries of activities of Maison Shalom enhance the ceremonies during the celebration of its 30th anniversary

From humanitarian aid to forced exile

Another major obstacle concerns the founder of Maison Shalom, Marguerite Barankitse, now exiled in Luxembourg. Long celebrated in Burundi for her humanitarian commitment, she was honored by former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who nicknamed her « Mother Burundi. »

However, with the political crisis of 2015, the situation changed terribly. Barankitse was accused of links to the attempted coup d’état of the same year. An international arrest warrant was issued for her, and in January 2020, the Burundian government seized all of Maison Shalom’s assets in Ruyigi : houses, a hospital, microfinance facility, and an orphanage.

Faced with these accusations, Marguerite Barankitse remains firm : « Among those who hate me today, many have benefited from the help of Maison Shalom. But nothing will stop the power of love. I will stand firm with dignity. »

She also denounces what she calls a « crime against humanity » : « They put orphans on the streets by confiscating private property. It is not up to Maison Shalom to respond to the accusations leveled at me. You have to know how to distinguish a charity from its founder. »

Despite her exile, she does not intend to abandon her humanitarian commitment. Rwanda, for its part, officially recognizes her foundation, which, according to Aissatou Dieng-Ndiaye, UNHCR representative in Rwanda, constitutes « an essential partner for the community recovery of refugees. »

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Marguerite Barankitse at an anniversary celebration of Maison Shalom, Kigali 2019 (SOS Médias Burundi)