From Streets to Scholars: Empowering Sheltered Street Connected Children in Burundi through Reading and Life Skills
Date Published:
Burundi is a small landlocked country in East Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite its rich culture and heritage, Burundi faces extreme poverty, political instability, and social challenges that leave many children vulnerable. Among the most overlooked are street connected children who have fled homes to escape abuse, neglect, or family conflict. These children survive daily on courage and resilience, yet their potential remains hidden. They have almost no access to books, formal education, or basic nutrition, and most educational materials are in French or English, languages they cannot fully understand. Without intervention, they risk remaining marginalized, voiceless, and without hope for the future.
BOUND FOR CHANGE was founded by individuals with lived experience in these communities. The team is deeply rooted and understands the local context. The organization currently supports 151 sheltered street connected children aged 6 to 18, continuously monitored and supported by ground teams. These children have already participated in BOUND FOR CHANGE projects for over a year, demonstrating attendance, cooperation, and readiness to learn.
The project will run from September 2026 to August 2027 and will include:
• Secure Reading Corner with 2,000 books
• Reading sessions and life skills workshops on writing, communication, self-expression, confidence, emotional control, and motivation
• Peer mentorship training and structured translation practice
• Nutrition support: a cup of millet porridge and a boiled egg during each session to support focus and attendance
Objectives:
• Improve literacy and comprehension in French and English
• Develop confidence, emotional resilience, and self-expression
• Train older children to mentor younger peers and serve as translators
• Establish a sustainable Reading Corner for ongoing community use
• Foster a culture of learning, empowerment, and mentorship
Expected Outcomes:
• 80 percent of children show measurable improvement in literacy and comprehension
• All older children mentor at least one younger child each month
• All children attend at least 80 percent of workshops and reading sessions
• Children demonstrate increased confidence and emotional control
• Reading Corner remains active and accessible for community learning beyond the project period
Risk Management and Contingency:
• Children have proven engagement with over a year of previous participation
• Sessions and Reading Corner are in monitored facilities
• Ground team supervision ensures safety and consistency
• Contingency plan $200: sessions adapted and home follow-up provided if attendance or challenges arise
Sustainability:
• Peer mentorship ensures continuity and knowledge transfer beyond funding
• Integration with ongoing initiatives maximizes resources
• Older children become mentors, translators, and community leaders
• BOUND FOR CHANGE handles all reporting and updates, ensuring full transparency
Budget ($4,200):
• Shipment of 2,000 books: $1,750
• Salaries for 2 teachers: $800
• Workshops on literacy, life skills, and motivation: $400
• Nutrition including millet porridge and boiled egg: $300
• Project management and coordination: $650
• Local logistics and transportation: €100
• Contingency: $200
Cost per child: $4,200 ÷ 151 children = approximately $27.81 per child for 12 months of books, workshops, mentorship, nutrition, and contingency
Impact Statement:
For only $27.80 per child, you can transform the life of a sheltered street connected child in Burundi by giving them the chance to read, learn, and grow into confident learners, peer mentors, and future community leaders. Supporting this initiative provides books, workshops, mentorship, and nutrition while also benefiting over 200 community members and investing in a generation that has already endured so much.
Every day, 151 street connected children in Burundi escape abuse, neglect, and poverty. With your support, they can access 2,000 books, life skills workshops, and a secure Reading Corner, receiving a cup of porridge and a boiled egg during sessions. For only $27.80 per child, you can help transform these children into confident learners, peer mentors, and future community leaders, while benefiting over 200 community members.
www.boundforchange.org
BOUND FOR CHANGE was founded by individuals with lived experience in these communities. The team is deeply rooted and understands the local context. The organization currently supports 151 sheltered street connected children aged 6 to 18, continuously monitored and supported by ground teams. These children have already participated in BOUND FOR CHANGE projects for over a year, demonstrating attendance, cooperation, and readiness to learn.
The project will run from September 2026 to August 2027 and will include:
• Secure Reading Corner with 2,000 books
• Reading sessions and life skills workshops on writing, communication, self-expression, confidence, emotional control, and motivation
• Peer mentorship training and structured translation practice
• Nutrition support: a cup of millet porridge and a boiled egg during each session to support focus and attendance
Objectives:
• Improve literacy and comprehension in French and English
• Develop confidence, emotional resilience, and self-expression
• Train older children to mentor younger peers and serve as translators
• Establish a sustainable Reading Corner for ongoing community use
• Foster a culture of learning, empowerment, and mentorship
Expected Outcomes:
• 80 percent of children show measurable improvement in literacy and comprehension
• All older children mentor at least one younger child each month
• All children attend at least 80 percent of workshops and reading sessions
• Children demonstrate increased confidence and emotional control
• Reading Corner remains active and accessible for community learning beyond the project period
Risk Management and Contingency:
• Children have proven engagement with over a year of previous participation
• Sessions and Reading Corner are in monitored facilities
• Ground team supervision ensures safety and consistency
• Contingency plan $200: sessions adapted and home follow-up provided if attendance or challenges arise
Sustainability:
• Peer mentorship ensures continuity and knowledge transfer beyond funding
• Integration with ongoing initiatives maximizes resources
• Older children become mentors, translators, and community leaders
• BOUND FOR CHANGE handles all reporting and updates, ensuring full transparency
Budget ($4,200):
• Shipment of 2,000 books: $1,750
• Salaries for 2 teachers: $800
• Workshops on literacy, life skills, and motivation: $400
• Nutrition including millet porridge and boiled egg: $300
• Project management and coordination: $650
• Local logistics and transportation: €100
• Contingency: $200
Cost per child: $4,200 ÷ 151 children = approximately $27.81 per child for 12 months of books, workshops, mentorship, nutrition, and contingency
Impact Statement:
For only $27.80 per child, you can transform the life of a sheltered street connected child in Burundi by giving them the chance to read, learn, and grow into confident learners, peer mentors, and future community leaders. Supporting this initiative provides books, workshops, mentorship, and nutrition while also benefiting over 200 community members and investing in a generation that has already endured so much.
Every day, 151 street connected children in Burundi escape abuse, neglect, and poverty. With your support, they can access 2,000 books, life skills workshops, and a secure Reading Corner, receiving a cup of porridge and a boiled egg during sessions. For only $27.80 per child, you can help transform these children into confident learners, peer mentors, and future community leaders, while benefiting over 200 community members.
www.boundforchange.org
