Reverien Barutwanayo enrolled
in one of OMS’ many literacy
training centers in Africa,
this one in a village in Burundi.
Reverien, a husband and father
of five children, is a part
of the indigenous Batwa ethnic
group. (Burundi has three
people groups: the Hutus, who
constitute the majority group,
the Tutsi, and the Batwa, who are
the minority group.)
The Batwa, sometimes referred
to as pygmies due to their typically
short stature, have been a difficult
people to reach with the Gospel since
Societal Outcast
Leads
Community
in Burundi
By Boopolo Amani,
OMS Village Churc
Planter, Africa
the spread of Christianity in Africa. They often live in poverty, have little access
to quality education, and have faced societal discrimination and even contempt.
In our literacy centers, the love of Christ and mutual respect take precedence,
so there is no place for hatred or discrimination. Training is free to the
students. Reverien, who could not otherwise access training because of his
social status, received acceptance and grace in our training center. He was the
only Batwa person in the region to receive this instruction.
After completing his training and receiving his certificate, he learned of a job
opportunity for a community health worker for the health and hygiene project
with World Vision. To obtain this job, he had to be able to read and write. Thanks
to his OMS Bridge to Reading literacy training, Reverien proudly showed his
certificate, passed the required test, and was hired.
Members of his community were shocked.
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