FAQs

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Where are you going?


We're off to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi; a small, french speaking nation in central Africa.


Why are you going?


It's a call from God! Read 'Our Journey' on this blog to get some background.


Who's going?


All of us (Jeremy, Allie, Andrew, Harry, Caspar and Felicity)...although Andrew is only planning on joining us for the first 3mths before pursuing his own plans.


When are you going? And how long are you going for?


We're not going until August 2012. Andrew needs to finish his A-levels first...besides, we need time to prepare (and improve our French!)


We now think of this as being open ended. We'll be seeking God's will for us there...so who knows what will happen!?


What will you be doing? And for?


Jeremy will be working with African Revival Ministries (ARM).


ARM is a Burundian, Christian NGO who work in Burundi, Rwanda, DR Congo and Senegal. It was founded by David Ndaruhutse whose story is told in 'An African Apostle'. They are linked to Eglise Vivante, and an 8,000 strong charismatic church in Bujumbura.


ARM runs hospitals, clinics, schools & AIDs centres and also runs agricultural, housing and street children projects...all very much centred around the gospel and evangelism.


Jeremy will taking the role of Principal at The King's School, Bujumbura.

This is not a teaching role. As Principal I will be responsible for leading and managing what will be approx 450 pupils and staff, ensuring that they all have the appropriate pastoral care and directing the administration and finances of the school.

A BIG role!...and not what I was expecting God to ask!!

The King’s School is an English speaking school, run by ARM, which was set up to principally educate genocide orphans and is subsidised by fee-paying pupils. It now takes children from pre-school to A-level and, with the construction of a new building this spring, will be split over 4 sites and double its intake and staff numbers in September.

Initially the plan was only for Jeremy to work in Burundi; however, Allie, realising that all the children will be in full time education, is really seeing so many opportunities for her to serve God out there.

Possibilities include:

• Encouraging members of our church to come and do short term mission work.
• Working with Eglise Vivante to develop English-speaking childrens and youth work
• Helping ARM develop refuge projects for prostitutes, single mums and AID’s victims
• Helping the family to settle in Burundi

Will your old job be kept for you? Will you be paid?

No and no.

God's call is for us to move on...and who knows for how long?

ARM simply do not have the resources to support us financially; so we are volunteering. This means that we will need to live entirely on gift income...and moving a family to Burundi is not cheap.

What's Burundi like?

In a nutshell, Burundi is a wonderful country with wonderful people; but it has had a very difficult history and has virtually no economy.

The 'People and Society' and 'Economy' sections on the CIA World Factbook website gives some interesting commentary and stats. (I don't work for the CIA...but their website is one of the better online resources! - Jeremy)

It is reasonably safe, but we have always felt so welcome there.

What's the standard of living like?

For most...very poor.

For us?

We'll have a decent, but simple house with water and power, in the city...although power is now unreliable (up to 3 days with no power) and worsening. The water is intermittent too.

We wouldn't have a landline or postal address. All communications have to be by mobile phone or a direct, satellite linked internet connection.

If you have the money, most goods are available; however anything imported tends to be prohibitively expensive...so we'll be relying on local produce.

There aren't really any shops as we would expect in the UK (e.g. clothes, toys, books etc...), nor is there much to do for leisure. There are a couple of swimming pools and a handful of restaurants...but that's about it.

Most roads are not surfaced...a 4x4 is essential.

For us, the much simpler way of life will be huge challenge; but, we hope, a blessing too.

What about the children?

ARM is associated with the CRIB orphanage; set up to provide a home for genocide orphans.

ARM runs The King's School (photos here and here) in Bujumbura, the only English school in Burundi. Initially to educate the CRIB children, it now takes fee paying children from pre-school to A-level...teaching an English curriculum.

Harry, Caspar and Felicity will all go to The King's School.

Andrew hopes to work there as a gap student for 3mths.

Next Steps?

We have a lot to do including:

• Fundraising
• French lessons
• Training
• Logistics
• Healthcare prep.
• Arranging a house and car
• Lots of prayer

Jeremy has changed his working hours to free up one morning a week to preparation.

The next immediate is for Jeremy to fly out in May to meet with staff, pupils, parents etc... at the school.