BUJUMBURA July 22nd(ABP) – The Burundian diaspora organized on Tuesday July 20, in Bujumbura, a news conference as part of the activities related to the week dedicated to the Burundian diaspora, 2021 edition, a check at the Zion Beach Hotel by ABP has revealed.
In his welcome address, the advisor to the mayor of the city of Bujumbura in charge of sports and culture, Mr. Christophe Kinshasa, who represented the mayor of the city at that conference, said he was delighted with the organization of the latter by Burundians living abroad in order to express themselves on their role in the implementation of various projects aimed at the development of their homeland in general and that of young people in particular. He reassured that the reorganization of such activities relating to the week dedicated to Burundians living abroad, after nearly six years, shows that peace and security are a reality throughout the country. He also proposed them to work in collaboration with the Youth Investment Bank (BIJE), especially in the environmental field.
The head of the executive committee and chairman of the diaspora called “Diaspora Ndundi”, Mr. Japhet Legentil Ndayishimiye, said that the diaspora week is organized in July of each year, since 2008, to encourage Burundians living abroad to make their contribution in the building of the nation. He also reported that 4000 Burundians living abroad have already arrived in the country, adding that others were on the way coming to respond to that event, unlike the other diaspora weeks already organized.
He was delighted with the step already taken in bringing together Burundians living abroad in their diversity, an eloquent sign that testifies to their enthusiasm for changing the image of the country on the socio-economic level and in terms of sustainable development of their native country.
Mr. Ndayishimiye did not forget to point out that the diaspora plays an important role in the development of the country, in frank collaboration with the government of Burundi. He noted that the diaspora has already built a modern hospital at Kigutu and also contributes in the agriculture and livestock sector, in the construction of modern hotels, as well as in the making of modern bricks.
Mr. Vénuste Niyongabo, a former athlete currently living in Italy and who won the gold medal at the Olympic Games which took place on August 3, 1996 in Atlanta, was delighted to take part, for the first time, in activities related to the Burundian diaspora week. However, that former Olympian deplored the fact that he remains the only Burundian athlete who was able to win the gold medal while there are a lot of young people with talents that remain hidden, for lack of organization and encouragement. To that end, he asked for the reorganization of the various games at school so that Burundi has many athletes who can carry the image of the country far like him, Francine Niyonsaba, Charles Nkazamyampi and many others. In order to encourage young Burundians to develop their talents, Mr. Niyongabo said that the Burundian diaspora organized a sports day under the theme “Sport for integrated development” which will take place on Saturday July 24, 2021 in the premises of Kamenge Youth Center in the various disciplines, namely athletics, basketball, cycling, tennis, volleyball and football senior / kids, from 8:30 am.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Investment Bank (BIJE), Mr. Sixte Niyuhire, who was present at this activity, made a short presentation on the operationalization of that bank under the theme “The role of the diaspora in the promotion of entrepreneurship of young people in Burundi”. He called for the implementation of the BIJE-young people-diaspora trilogy, while calling on the diaspora to find markets for the sales of items produced by young entrepreneurs.