Maison Shalom.

Maison Shalom was created in October 1993 in Ruyigi to rescue and offer protection, education and care to orphans and other vulnerable groups, mainly victims of the conflict in Burundi. Maison Shalom was founded by Marguerite ‘Maggie’ Barankitse, who has since been recognised by several international awards for her inspirational work. Maison Shalom is based in Ruyigi but also operates in other eastern provinces such as Cankuzo and Rutana.

The organisation works to ensure a socioeconomical reintegration of former child soldiers and demobilised persons through technical training and job creation. The goal of Maison Shalom is to ensure that the reintegration of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is sensitive to local communities and promotes a peaceful cohabitation after the conflict. A central priority of the organisation is the pyschosocial trauma care for children traumatised by the conflict.

Maison Shalom has also initiated a diverse range of initiatives to deal with issues of healthcare and well-being in Burundi. Perhaps the most important of them is the Rema Hospital, inaugurated in January 2008 and offering more than 100 beds. There are now thousands of direct beneficiaries of Maison Shalom programmes.