My Life's Journey of Hope from Burundi to Appleton

Egide Nimubona, instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, discussed his journey to Appleton. Egide was born and raised in a poor village in Burundi. His family survived on substance farming on 3-4 acres of land to support 7 children. Egide’s education was made possible by his visionary father, missionaries and scholarships. During his education, he learned the Kirundi, French and Russian languages. Egide experienced the same level of poverty that thousands of school children in Burundi face today. Burundi is the poorest country in the world (per capita GDP). Ninety percent of the citizens work with hoes on coffee plantations that are run by the government and used for export. In Burundi, education is a privilege since only few can afford it. Elementary school (grades 1-6) is the path to prosperity despite the long distances, hunger, intestinal worms, snakes and hyenas. In 1978, only 10% of 6th graders were allowed into 7th grade. In 2010, it increased to 33%. Boarding secondary school (grades 7-13) were considered more modern with 3 meals a day, mattresses, sandals, toothpaste, etc. At the age of 20, Egide got a scholarship to attend school in Moscow from 1985-1991. He went back to Burundi to work from 1991-1994. In 1994, the civil war/genocide started and Egide went to the American Embassy to get a Visa to visit New York. He fled to Moscow, New York then to Montreal, Canada. Egide lived in Montreal from 1994-2002 where he went back to school to get his degree in mechanical engineering. In 2002, he came to Appleton where he plans to stay. In 2010, Egide became a United States Citizen.

In Burundi, kids want to receive an education. In 2009, more than 16,628 students walked over 12.5 miles to school every day. Over 128,209 students walked barefoot on rough country paths 6-12 miles. Four or five students share a book when available in high school. Only 47% of primary school-age girls attend school. Elementary schools have limited resources such as electricity, restrooms and clean water. Egide started the Burundi Education Fund, Inc. to provide materials and financial support to students and schools in extreme poverty in Burundi. The fund’s ultimate goal is to help children remain in school and eventually become self-reliant adults, leading to a break in the cycle of excessive poverty in their families. An entire year of education for one student costs $150: $45 school supplies and uniform; $38 transportation to and from boarding school; $29 tuition, room and board (which is subsidized by the government); $20 miscellaneous; and $18 for medical check-ups. This year, 108 students received equivalent of $150 each to cover all their school needs. For more information on the Burundi Education Fund, please go to: http://educateburundi.org/.