Our Partnership with African Road

The indigenous Batwa are the oldest people group in Burundi, comprising of 1% of the population.  Historically, the Batwa resided in ancient forests, living off the land’s resources. Mass deforestation reduced the Batwa’s territory and many have been evicted from their ancestral home. Without traditional means of self-sufficiency, and with limited access to formal education, they face poverty and systemic discrimination. Most Batwa do not have national identity cards.  In Burundi, without an ID, people cannot vote, pursue justice for crimes committed against them, own property, legally marry, seek formal employment, use public transportation, or reliably access healthcare and education.

We’re partnering with African Road to equip Batwan people with ID cards that allow for protection, freedom, health, opportunity, and economic and social mobility. Through the project, 1,300 people will be issued ID cards and other critical documents, including health insurance cards, birth certificates (allowing children under five to access free healthcare), ID cards, voter registration, and/or civil marriage certificates. The project will culminate in a village-wide civil marriage ceremony, legally recognizing couples’ marriages for the first time!