Africa: Peace despite everything

After a violent 12-year civil war, Burundi is currently undergoing a political crisis that has generated great divisions among the institutions and citizens. There have been numerous demonstrations against the government and many young people were arrested. Homicides and abductions followed and many left their own villages and even the country.

The gen, the youth of the Focolare, undertook to “live for their own people”, recognising in every difficulty of the suffering person, the countenance of Jesus crucified and forsaken, to love him concretely. “We went to help the many wounded- recounted Lewis – during one of the visits to a hospital in the capital we washed the clothes of the sick and shared our meals with some of them. We visited the children of an orphanage, and played and shared the afternoon with them, trying to make them happy. We took the occasion to give a hand also in the cleaning.”

Many of the gen who are university students organised a “Peace conference, at the Burundi University, with the participation of many. “The hall which was full, confirmed how people really aspire for peace. Our musical group called the “Smiling Gen” performed, and was greatly applauded by all. Particularly the song “I Believe” (see the video) composed by them, encouraged our country’s youth to go against the current, and become aware of the suffering of others, with the invitation to do their share in changing the world. When we shot the video clip, we had to make an effort to go beyond the adverse situations around us and believe that despite all, peace is really possible.”

To make their commitment more visible and effective, together with the local focolare community, the youths gave rise to the “Project for Peace in Burundi”which includes a series of initiatives in favour of peace and reconciliation: «Through theme conferences, radio programs, charity events, art, poetry and song contests, and a grand closing event, all, of which were diffused by the social media, we try to involve as many people as possible to join us in building peace in our country.”