UCEDD was created in 1995 to improve the lives of Burundi’s indigenous people, the Batwa. An ethnic minority group comprising of just 0.6% of the population Batwa face extreme discrimination and marginalization which has kept many living in a situation of chronic poverty. The challenges that Batwa face are numerous, high levels of poverty coupled with little or non-existence access to healthcare,
education and employment opportunities have created a situation in which the Batwa are struggling to survive. In order to support the Batwa out of poverty UCEDD delivers three programs from its offices in Gitega, centrally located in Burundi to ensure easy access to a majority of Batwa communities. The programs of Food Security, Batwa Rights Advocacy and Education were determined as the cornerstone of the organization due to their ability to provide for the immediate needs of the most vulnerable Batwa and to contribute towards long lasting change. UCEDD’s vision is to contribute to a society in which each citizen Mutwa in particular and other vulnerable citizens in general will benefit from the same living conditions as others. These conditions include nutritious food, capacities of production, healthcare, and living in a favorable environment. The organization works to give to the Batwa people a sense of Hope so that they live in a society in which they have value and in which they can take charge of their personal values and those of others in order that others accept their identity as full citizens of society. Our Values
UCEDD believes that “all that is human is life, and all that is life is calling. All human being as called to live humanely in peace and joy with his or her environment. Additionally, to reach their vision, UCEDD would like to be characterized by human dignity, social justice, equality and integration.”
