Makamba, Burundi (August 2014)- The Universal Chastity Education (UCE) team in Burundi has taken to training all sectors of society in the message of chastity. While UCE outreaches focus on youth chastity training (purity and abstinence until a faithful marriage), and regularly include couples trainings, the team, led by Bishop Martin Nyaboho of Makamba Diocese, has also reached other important groups. Notably, the team has been holding trainings for Police Officers and government workers. The UCE Team knows that police have an interest in protecting the people of Burundi, and HIV is a serious threat. The best protection against HIV? Abstinence until a faithful marriage to one husband or one wife.
The work of UCE Burundi recently drew the attention of the President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza.President Nkurunziza commended the Universal Chastity Education team saying, “We appreciate what Bishop Martin and the UCE team are doing in sensitizing not only civilians but also the policemen and women about how to live faithfully in marriage in order to enjoy a family life exempt of violence, HIV/AIDS, and other disorders. We request the Cabinet of the Minister of Security to partner with the UCE program so that all the policemen and women will adhere to the UCE teachings on a national level. We compliment such an initiative.”
The Burundi team holds 4-5 outreaches each month, and is still in great need of sponsorship. $250 can sponsor 1 youth outreach, 1 couples training, or 1 training for police officers. Additionally, UCE Burundi is continuing to expand its burgeoning club program. Mr. Joseph Ndabazaniye, a teacher at Gasaka High School: Mabanda County, leads a thriving UCE club. The students prepare songs, sketches, and poems on chastity and use them to encourage their peers. Mr. Ndabazaniye says, “It gives more meaning to other students to see their peers act in songs, poems, and sketches about what they have been taught and pledged for (chastity). This is faith put into action because actions speak louder than words.”
(Stock photo of President Nkurunziza)