USAID/OTI Burundi Hot Topic
September 2004
USAID Administrator’s Visit Shows U.S. Government Commitment to Burundi
USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios visited Burundi in September as a demonstration of U.S. government support as Burundi reaches the end of its political transition period to peace. The delegation included Africa Bureau Deputy Assistant Administrator Kate Almquist, REDSO/ESA Director Andrew Sisson, REDSO/ESA Low-Presence Countries Director Flynn Fuller, and OTI Director David Taylor.
Administrator Natsios, U.S. Ambassador James Yellin and the delegation, along with USAID Burundi Representatives of REDSO/ESA’s Development Office, OFDA and OTI, traveled to Gitega province to visit two USAID program sites with Gitega’s governor.
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| USAID Administrator Natsios observes a carpentry class at Bwoga Vocational Skills Training School in Gitega. |
The delegation met with OTI program staff and representatives of other USAID-funded NGOs involved in peace education and leadership training in Gitega. The Administrator was impressed to learn that the OTI-supported Community-based Leadership Program (CBLP) covers all communes in Gitega and Ruyigi. He also complimented the coordination among the various USAID-funded partners.
For a second site visit, the delegation visited Bwoga Center, one of eight OTI-supported vocational skills training (VST) schools. There, the Administrator asked students about their experiences in the VST program and how their newly acquired skills help them reintegrate into their communities. He learned that, in the program’s VST schools, students are acquiring practical skills, while also working closely with population segments from which they were previously divided.
To highlight the timeliness of OTI’s program in Burundi and of Administrator Natsios’ visit, later in the day, when Burundian President Ndayizeye asked Administrator Natsios for skills training for ex-combatants, Administrator Natsios responded by explaining that OTI-supported VST schools already enroll ex-combatants, repatriates, displaced and other vulnerable community members.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Carlisle J. Levine, Program Manager at 202-712-0955 or clevine@usaid.gov
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