Honor • Duty • Respect - The Citadel

The United States is often called the “land ofopportunity,” but I feel this way about Burundi. If wecan dream it, it can happen, and it needs to happen.In fact, everything needs to happen here. One of myfavorite ways to help make this change is by investingin future generations. It is often said that the problemin Africa is not poverty, disease or poor education, butthe lack of good leaders. By mentoring and teachingothers some of the principles I learned as a cadet, I amoptimistic about the next generation of Burundianstaking responsibility for leading their country into abetter future. Despite many challenges, I see youngpeople beginning to own a vision for a better place. Itis an honor to help them not only to dream, but alsoto make some of those dreams come true by investingtime, money and energy in a place that desperatelyneeds the help.Transformation takes time, a strong resolve and plentyof vision. But transformation is happening in Burundi.In the Batwa village I first visited almost two years ago,dramatic changes have taken place. At the same time,the link between The Citadel and Burundi continues togrow. A current Citadel honors student, Cadet Nick Slater,spent his summer in the dirt with some of the poorestpeople in the world. He gave his time and knowledgeto help those who will never be able to pay him back,to show them that their lives matter. His service hascontributed to a new water system, 15 new homes, a foodprogram for kids and a clinic that is about to open.The work here is a beautiful act of service, and one ofwhich I am privileged to play a part. Whether it is adental team, a medical team or a group coming simplyto provide solidarity by building mud bricks, it is all partof healing a land that has suffered more than we canfathom. Not only are the physical needs of the Batwabeing met, but the people are finally starting to seethat they have a hope and a future. This is work thatchanges lives.The Citadel 2011 49