In what situation would you find four bishops in a canoe and a nun doing archery?….The opening of The Bethesda Project Burundi was a day of firsts and a day of fun!

It started with a short canoe journey on Lake Kavaruga in which young people with disabilities were canoeing alongside bishops and government officials – it was wonderful to see such a mixed gathering of people in Burundi.

An archery demonstration followed in which the young people showed off their new skills and the dignitaries attempted to copy with mixed success!

Back in Muyinga Town the visitors heard from Innocent (one of the young people with disabilities) how The Bethesda Project sports had changed him, how he’d begun to smile and interact more freely with his peers. Sister Gareth (Sister in charge of Centre des Handicapes Physiques Saint Jean Bosco de Muyinga) told the guests about the scars that the many of the children carry around inside them due to their disabilities and the treatment they receive from society, she praised Bethesda for helping the children to enjoy life, to feel important and included, to have fun, to smile and to laugh!

After speeches from Bishop Eraste Bigirimana (Bishop Of Muyinga), Peter Sanders (Project Director of The Kepplewray Centre), Bishop John Nduwayo (Bishop of Gitega), Peter Banbasi (Ex-governor of Muyinga) and Petronia Sindabahaga (Governor of Muyinga) who all pledged support to The Bethesda Project, food was shared together and the day ended with a display from one of Burundi’s drumming troupes and prayer for continued success of The Bethesda Project.

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011