Burundi - Action Against Hunger

StudentsRace Against Hunger!How you can help end global hunger:Abouthunger andmalnutrition1Learn about global hungerand how to fight it.In order to help fight globalhunger, you should firstknow what hunger means.2Raise awareness about globalhunger in your communityand seek sponsors for yourRace Against Hunger.HungerThe result of the persistentintake of less than the dailyamount of calories yourbodyneeds to be nourishedand active.ContentsStudents Race Against Hunger 1About hunger and malnutrition 1Scope of hunger and malnutrition in the world 2About Action Against Hunger 3Action Against Hunger program map 4How your money helps 4Case Study: Burundi 6Preparing for the Race Against Hunger 8Tips on seeking sponsors 8Sponsor Form 93Participate in your school’sRace! The proceeds youraise will help save the livesof malnourished childrenaround the world.FamineThe absolute unavailabilityor inaccessibility of food ina given region, possiblycausing imminent death.MalnutritionA broad term for a wide rangeof conditions that preventgood health, caused by aninadequate or unbalancedfood intake. While we tendto associate malnutritionwith under-nutrition, or lackof food intake, malnutritionalso includes over-nutrition,or the consumption of toomuch food. Obesity is a formof malnutrition.Food securityA situation during which allpeople, at all times, haveaccess economically, sociallyand physically to sufficient,safe and nutritious food thatsatisfies their nutritional needsand dietary preferences.(1)

Case Study BurundiBurundi is just one of the many countries where Action AgainstHunger works. Let’s learn a little about this East African country.Geography:Wedged between Tanzania, theDemocratic Republic of the Congo,and Rwanda in east-central Africa,Burundi occupies a high plateaudivided by several deep valleys. It isequal in size to Maryland.History:The population of Burundi isprimarily comprised of two groupsof people: the Hutu (approximately85%) and the Tutsi (approximately14%). The Twa people, a Pygmytribe, make up 1% of the population.Historically, Hutu life relied on smallscale agriculture and a clan-basedsocial system until the Tutsi firstarrived in the 14th century.The Tutsi gradually gained controlof the Hutu dominated regionthrough a mostly peaceful infiltration.DemocraticRepublic ofCongoRwandaOur ProgramsWater and SanitationNutritionFood SecurityNgoziKayanzaBubanzaBujumburaBurundiRuyigiTanzaniaWith their advanced knowledge ofwarfare and their possession ofcattle, the Tutsi were able toestablish a feudal relationship withthe Hutu under a Tutsi mwami, orKing, who ruled by divine right.The Hutu and the Tutsi livedin relative peace for centuries.However, the tide of peacefulco-existence ended with thebeginning of European colonialpartition and rule that sweptAfrica in the early 20th century.Belgium colonialized Burundiafter World War I, establishing asystem of indirect rule that activelyfavored the Tutsi and pitted themagainst the Hutu. This favoritismcreated tension between the twocultures, setting the stage for thepersistent and violent conflictto come.FactsLocation: Central AfricaPresident: Pierre NkurunzizaCapital: BujumburaLanguages: Kirundi, French, SwahiliPopulation: 8,691,005Climate: Equatorial; two rainy seasons (Februaryto May and September to November), and two dryseasons (June to August and December to January)Life expectancy: 52 yearsLiteracy: (definition—age 15 and over can readand write) 60%(6)BeforeDavid and Kaifa suffering from severeacute malnutrition after years of civilconflict in Burundi.After Burundi gained its independencefrom Belgium in 1962, a series ofethnic clashes and military coupsswept the country, leading tohundreds of thousands of deaths.The frequency of ethnic clashesincreased over the course of threedecades, developing into a full-blowncivil war in 1993 instigated by theassassination of the first Hutupresident. Over 300,000 peoplewere killed, while even more wereforced to flee to neighboring countries,leaving their homes, land, andlivelihoods behind.In late 2003, the Burundiangovernment and rebel group signed acease-fire and a formal power-sharingagreement. Transitional governmentalinstitutions were established andin 2005, the people of Burundiparticipated in parliamentary electionsto organize the new government.Although the civil war is over, thepeople of Burundi remain engaged ina difficult struggle to stabilize theirlives and promote peace.(7)AfterDavid and Kaifa after 30 days inAction Against Hunger’s TherapeuticFeeding Center.Humanitarian situation:Today, more than 800,000 people –12% of the country’s population –remain internally displaced as a resultof the civil war. Large numbers ofinternally displaced people have beenunable to produce their own foodand are dependent on internationalhumanitarian assistance, despitethe fact that agriculture supportsover 90% of the labor force arefarmers. In addition to displacementand instability, diseases such asmalaria and HIV/AIDS are widespreadthroughout the country.Efforts to alleviate the humanitariansituation in Burundi have beenongoing since 1999 when the UnitedNations along with the EuropeanUnion, the United States and otherslaunched an initiative to promotepeace and encourage humanitarianaid in Burundi. Action Against Hungerhas been working to decreasemalnutrition rates and enhance foodsecurity in Burundi since 1994,helping more than 180,000 people.

ImportanttalkingpointsTime to RaceAgainst Hunger!Tips for seeking sponsorsThe money you raise for the Race Against Hungerwill go a long way in saving the lives of malnourishedchildren around the world. Here are some tips forseeking sponsors for your Race:r Approach people you know and trust. Family membersmake enthusiastic sponsors!r Neighborhood businesses and restaurants are greatpotential sponsors.r Seek sponsors from your church, synagogue, temple,mosque, or community/youth group.r Don’t seek sponsors in neighborhoods with which youare unfamiliar.r Sponsors can pledge a certain amount of money foreach lap you run (i.e. $2/lap), or they can make aflat donation (i.e. $20 flat regardless of laps completed).r If your sponsor is writing a check, make sure thecheck is made out to “Action Against Hunger”.Global hunger and malnutrition claim the lives of more than5 million children a year. Action Against Hunger is aninternational aid organization working to save the lives ofchildren suffering from acute malnutrition in some of themost vulnerable communities around the world.The Race Against Hunger aims to raise awareness aboutthe scourge of global hunger and to encourage students andcommunities to be a part of the solution.89 cents of every dollar raised will directly benefit ActionAgainst Hunger’s life-saving work around the world.No donation is too little! Each dollar raised goes a long wayin the fight against hunger and malnutrition.(Reference page 8: How your money helps.)Donations are tax-deductible!THE RACE AGAINST HUNGER SPONSOR FORMAll money raised directly supports our efforts to carry out innovative, lifesaving programs in nutrition, food security,and water & sanitation in 40 countries. Your sponsorship will help us continue to reach some 5 million people a year.Name of participant:Teacher: Date of race:Action Against Hunger saves the livesof malnourished children, while providingfamilies with sustainable access to safewater and long-term solutions to hunger.Initial whendonation collectedPre-paidPledge per lap/Full name Home addressflat donationNumber of laps TotalCATHY SMITH 20 HOPE STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60018 $2 10 $20Total amount raised:Please print your details clearly and in capital lettersAction Against Hunger is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that has received top marks from rating agencies like the Better BusinessBureau, Charity Navigator, The American Institute of Philanthropy, and Guidestar. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extentof the law. To learn more about our programs and activities, please visit our website at www.actionagainsthunger.org.Thank you for your support!(8)(9)

The Race Against Hungeris an international servicelearning initiative thatseeks to engage studentsacross the United Statesand around the world inthe issue of global hungerand to inspire them to bepart of the solution.Go to our website toget more information!www.actionagainsthunger.org/raceAction Against Hunger247 West 37th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018(877) 777-1420www.actionagainsthunger.org/racerace@actionagainsthunger.org