1st October, the Old People World Day: the Old claim for more support

All over the world including Burundi, many countries have celebrated the Old People World Day although; Burundian Old People have many problems – By Diane Uwimana

Terence Niyonzima with Anne Marie Namihungo inside the “Auspice Saint Elisabeth” Centre ©Iwacu

Arriving at the “Auspice Saint Elisabeth” Centre in Rohero Commune(Bujumbura City Council), where about 54 people dwell- some are old and others are living with disabilities; once one enters, she/he is welcomed by an old person who opens the gate. There is a calm atmosphere and the place is very clean. “We were at the end of our rosary as our main daily activity”, says Nun Colette Murimbane, Responsible of the “Auspice Saint Elisabeth Centre”.
Terence Niyonzima, 73 years old, is from Matana Commune in Bururi province. He has been living in the centre since about one year and half. “I have come to this centre because I had nobody to care about me. I have six children but they could do anything to help me. When my leg was broken, I needed to be supported very much; the reason why I am here,” says Niyonzima.
Thanks to the centre, he mentions that he gets everything. The same analysis is made by Marie Rose Namihungo, 94 years old, from Cankuzo Commune in Cankuzo Province. She has been living there about ten years.
“I had 12 children but ten were dead. Today, two are alive and I don’t know where one of them is,” she adds angrily.
According to her, it is necessary to support the centre for improving their living conditions. “Those who are running activities and administrative authorities have their own mums and fathers. It is worthy to take care of us too, so that we can end our life happily,” mentions the old woman.
She indicates that they sometimes go to fetch water because of the lack of water inside the centre. “Regideso Company often comes to cut our supply in water and electricity. So, we have no choice, we have to move ourselves to look for water to our nearby neighbours,” points out Namihungo.

“The center has come to help both old and disabled people”

Nun Colette Murimbane: “The Ministry of Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender gives us only BIF 900,000 and we use this amount to pay Regideso fees for two months only. However, thanks to some comprehensive people, we try to manage ourselves and rent a field to cultivate in order to have something to eat.” ©Iwacu

In total, 54 people are sheltered in the “Auspice Saint Elisabeth” Centre. Among them 37 are women and 17 are men. “We don’t only receive old people but also people with disabilities who don’t have anyone to care of them. We have 4 who suffer from epilepsy, 3 from HIV/AIDS and all others are old people,” explains Nun Colette Murimbane.
She indicates that those people are living because of generous human beings of kind soul and particularly “Bene Mukama Congregation”. “They bring essential needs in our daily life,” highlights the Nun.
According to her, old people need to be supported and cared about very much. “The Ministry of Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender gives us only BIF 900,000 and we use this amount to pay Regideso fees for two months only. However, thanks to some comprehensive people, we try to manage ourselves and rent a field to cultivate in order to have something to eat,” says the Responsible of the centre.
For her, it is worth coming and paying some visits to them for comforting them and avoiding their permanent loneliness.