Mutinous Burundi child soldiers sent back home

Hundreds of former child soldiers for Burundi rebels, who recently staged a mutiny demanding better conditions at a demobilisation camp, begun returning home on Wednesday, an official said.
"It's a great satisfaction for us," said Romain Ndagabwa head of the camp where they stayed for about a month in central Gitega town.
The first batch of 136 of the 340 teenagers left Wednesday and the rest will be released next week.
"This morning 136 FNL child soldiers left the Gitega demobilisation centre for their provinces of origin where they will be reunited with their families," said Ndabagwa in a telephone interview with AFP.
The child soldiers from the National Liberation Forces (FNL), Burundi's last active rebel group, had been in Gitega, 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Bujumbura, since early April awaiting demobilisation.
Aged between 16 and 17, they last week stormed out of the camp in protest to demand better food and to be speedily sent back home.
Each child is being sent off with a kit of clothes and food and will receive a transitional monthly stipend equivalent to 13 euros (17 dollars) for 18 months to allow for their reintegration into society.
A once-off payment equal to 100 euros (136 dollars) will be made out either for formal education or towards a small project of the youngster's choice.
The FNL officially became a political party on April 21 after ending its armed struggle. Around 5,000 FNL former combatants are to be disarmed alongside more than 10,000 allied fighters who will return to civilian life.
The Great Lakes nation struggled to emerge from a 13-year civil war that ended with a ceasefire in 2006 ceasefire after leaving 300,000 dead.
The civil war pitted the army, once dominated by minority Tutsis, against various rebel Hutu groups.

tea season is year round

My Buddy Brando took some shots of a weekend away up in Northern Burundi. I was supposed to get some shots of Coffee for a film I'm doing, but we stayed at a Tea plantation. Obviously this presented a bit of a dilemma for getting coffee shots. Needless to say I have some great tea footage. For now I just want you to see the Tea fields of Northern Burundi as captured by Brandon and his super sweet Cannon.

PTI partners with G-Shep in earnest

Well done team G-shep!

Good and faithful friends. Trina and I were truly blessed by your visit. A huge thanks to Ryan, Blake, Kim, and Kathy. Through sickness and almost-heath these guys really blessed the Burundian youth, and PTI members as well as Trina and myself, for a little over a week. Each person bringing their individual gifts and personalities. I’m honored to call you all friends, and I’m proud of the work you did here, and how you assisted Trina at PTI. I know Emmanuel feels the same, and as we drove back from the airport after dropping you off, we talked about how great it was to have you, and how we can continue to nurture a thriving mutually beneficial relationship in the future with more visits, deeper relationships, and quality bonding and mutual learning. Trina and I truly believe Good Shepherd, and PTI can sharpen each other in so many ways. To come all the way to Burundi and share yourselves, your work, and your stories, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Good Shepherd loves the youth of Burundi and wants to be in a meaningful relationship with them, beyond talk and empty western promises, but rather real genuine love, in person. Jean drove his moped all the way out to the airport to see off the Good shepherd team, and almost missed them as they passed through security. I thanked him for driving out to see off our team. He was sad to see them go, and many don’t know that driving a little moped all the way out to the airport is quite a dangerous thing, not to mention expensive because of fuel costs, and the fact that he makes barely any money at all, so that showed me a lot of the impact that the team had on the local staff at PTI. There is no end to the depths and dangers of one of the richest churches and cultures in the world partnering with the poorest and I truly hope we can embrace the challenge whole hearted and make mistakes and learn together. I can’t thank Good Shepherd and the team enough. Real quick favorite moments:

Lot’s of favorite moments with Ryan, doctors office with the Mohamad. Hangin’ at rainbow with Ryan and Blake when they were both really sick “down south.” Ryan using fans in ways he’s never done before. Ryan, Kim, and Blake, all laying in the front room sick, as we rehashed 1.3 for the mutual edification of us all. Numerous car rides searching for aggressive carries. Watching Kathy teach all those Burundians as they stared at her relentlessly, also watching Kathy take such a keen interest in our friends here, wanting to learn all about them. Watching Ryan Blake and Kim play volleyball, even though they were barely healthy, and not quite recovered from what I think was some of their least pleasant illnesses they’ve sustained in life. Watching Ryan walk after four days of being in country.
You guys are great, make sure you greet all the staff for us, and ryan, keep the weight off. P90X baby.

Two years ago today, I arrived in Burundi. I’m writing this on march 16th , 2009. On the same date in 2007, Trina and I walked off the Kenya airways plane onto the Bujumbura International Airport runway. It was super hot and muggy. Tambry and Dan Brose were with us on that flight. We knew we were going to live in this country two years, that there was no way we were going to leave early. My mind was full of thoughts, I didn’t know what sort of decision I had made and I missed many friends and family… second guessing myself is habit and I made sure to do it a lot.
Sara Matthews drove us to our house after some hugs and handshakes at the airport. We still live at the same house, and Lizzy and Doug who greeted us at the airport, helped get us adjusted, and would later become great friends. It’s been an interesting journey, of learning, successes, failures, and constant adventure of sorts in the way of travels, interesting dilemmas, and social events that are just not normal in the States. I was talking with one of my oldest friends here (Brando, and oldest in the sense length of time, not age) just yesterday, talking about how we were as artists when we first arrived, excited about everything, a sponge, constantly learning, barely keeping our cameras in their cases, and how now, we’re much more reserved, taking out the camera less and less. Less keen on traveling unless we get something we’re really looking for. We talked about how we’re not blogging as much, do to a loss of novelty of things we daily experience. I realized in that moment, that I was 2 years in country, we were in a sense, old school. We had seen many people come and go, we had been in the trenches, and learned tons. Burundi is one of the most eccentric universities in the world and we were sophomores, when most people dropped out before their freshman year ended. I was thinking how I have to blog in the moment, if I don’t I just loose my excitement, how life is now normalized. When I first arrived, everybody was new, I had to make an effort to meet people again. I had to learn how to use a phone all over again, and a sim card. I learned how to text, which I’d never done before in the States. Language lessons, cultural studying. I remember walking into the capital of Burundi, before I bought a car, exploring the streets, trying to talk to people, nervous, scared of the unknown, watching my back constantly. I remember changing my U.S. Dollars into Burundi Francs, and thinking how cool it was that that was something I would have to do every couple weeks. I remember thinking, every local I meet is an opportunity to learn things I would never be able to learn in the States. Everything was new and exciting and ambiguous. I remember taking my French English dictionary with me everywhere, looking up words on signs and stores, so I could figure out what was inside before I would enter. I remember shopping for the first time, getting prices from locals, and learning how to barter. I’ve seen friends marry, and friends die.
It was a new life, and I was excited to enter into it everyday. Now this city is home. Nothing is new, it’s all very normal, even crazy things. I’ve lost my new eyes, I’m made judgments about things, I’ve been burned a bunch, I’ve been blessed a bunch. Almost nothing is news worthy. I rarely feel like changing money. I don’t like my phone, I don’t like driving in the city, except by motor bike. There are so many things I do like, but I find I don’t blog about them… not like I used to do. I looked up my journal for my first couple of entries to see what I was thinking two years ago. Turns out I wrote a quick paragraph my third day here. I thought I’d share a few of my early journals in honor of our two year anniversary in Burundi, they are nothing exciting. In fact they are boring. But I laugh as I read them on so many levels. Mainly because I see how new I was, even though at the time, I thought I was unique in so many ways, I thought I new more than most new people. But my journal entries, are just like every blog I’ve read of people who come here and begin writing instantly whether they are here for a brief period or a long time. It’s fascinating how we all take the same road… and yet very strange. Sheep comes to mind.

March 18th 2007

It’s my third day in Africa. I arrived in Bujumbura on march 16th 2007. It hasn’t quite been a year since I quit working for Scott, and I think it’s been the best decision in my life to change direction from simply working to fund my lifestyle, without challenging myself, just existing to pay bills, and fund a social life. I couldn’t have done it without Trina though. I’ve met a lot of people here in Burundi, and they are all similar to me in more ways than usual encounters in the States. The Canadians I’ve met are Kyle, Brandon, Doug, Deanna. Some Britts, Simon, Lizzie, Duncan. ane from Scottland, and Benidicta from Norway. All of them have exceeded my expectations, and I’m forgetting a few other people now, but I’ve only just met them. It’s been super hot, and I worry about the Sony. I hope the equipment works well here, but I’m skeptical. Today is day one of work and we’re going to the office feeling anxious, like I’m in over my head.

March 24th 2007
One week in. We went to a Burundi “end of a week of mourning” gathering at the wife of Elehud. He (Elehud) died almost two weeks prior, cause of death unknown, but lots of suggestions. The atmosphere was more jovial than I would have expected. The family served us a meal, and some drinks. I had a lime soda drink called citron. The food was fried banana in a red oily sauce with three chunks of meat. Trina had a small cooked cockroach in her dish, which caused us to laugh a bit. There were about 30 of us that gathered. I was one of 5 bazungu. We sang and prayed, and read scripture, and hugged, gave appropriate financial gifts to the widow and just tried to spend time with her in her grief. The wife of Elehud seemed to be doing remarkably well. Of course Dan Brose is amazing in all these cultural contexts and is highly respected by all. It’s a privilege to watch him. He’s the Pat Thurman of Burundi in social contexts, then a brilliant entrepreneur, humble servant, and a wise teacher… Tambry is a mother Teresa with spunk, a great mind, youthful zeal, and too many other gifts to list… not to get too complementarian, but she is “the hostess with the most-est.” I’ve shot very little, and am learning very much. I have to start editing soon, lest I forget all I’ve learned about my editing software. Plus, it will be enlightening, learning if laptops and film editing will be possible in this heat, humidity, and dust.

March 27th
Had a meeting with Desire the security officer for world relief. He said a new group of gorilla force is forming under Radjabu and uniting with the “friends of Rwanda” group. Radjabu was high in the winning party’s parliament, and was disposed by the President, and now has raise 20 million, and is supposedly hiring local poor taxi driver and delivery boys to take bombs into as many public/govt/church buildings and create death and terror. I remember it seeming quite odd, listening to the Logistics officer. I noticed though Trina had lots of questions, she stayed remarkably calm, and didn’t seem to worry much after the briefing. She’s amazing that one.

April 15th
Almost a month in Africa. Just got back from Rwanda, we stayed in a lake front cabin on lake Kivu, sort of a weekend team getaway together. There was no electric or water. We brought water with us, and bathed in the lake. There were excellent thunderstorms, and I read Chronicles of Narnia, as the thunder echoed across the canyon. We went with Sara, Tambry, Aaron, Austin, and we met the Vinton family, a missionary family from Congo. They were great. They had some impressive stories. We played risk, read lots, swam lots, ran, hiked, and watched movies on Sue Vinton’s laptop. It was charged by a battery that Bill Vinton bought illegally in Congo. The battery was high quality and super heavy. Monkeys played in the front yard, and there were pretty exotic birds hanging out as well. I read, “A horse and his boy”, and “Prince Caspian.” I studied French. It only took three hours to drive to the cabin because the road on the Rwanda side is now paved. On my last trip in 2005, it took all day to drive to the same location because of the rain, and the bad road at the time. Rwanda is developing fast. I think in time, this region of Rwanda will be a resort town.
April 29th
It’s Sunday, two days after I turned 30. I’ve been here a month and a half, and this is the first time that I don’t feel sick for one week straight. I think my body has adjusted. We went on a huge road trip with the Brose’s to raft the Nile. It was very incredible. We passed a flipped semi truck, on our way to the Nile. Fantastic coffee shops in Rwanda. Things are going pretty well. French lessons are hilarious at the French cultural center. This place is crazy. A great birthday experience.
So nothing great right, but what I notice about myself through these early journals is that now, I’m much different in how I notice things. Admittedly a basic observation. But in moments in ones life, basic things become profound for a minute, then basic again. On every trip I take I see multiple accidents, some quite severe, mainly involving semi trucks, but I don’t comment on them at all in my journals or otherwise, I don’t talk about anything now, that I once would have. I know that’s natural, as places and happenings loose their novelty after time, but I do think we should fight this habit to let life loose novelty. Fight to record the seemingly normal, because I bet there is a lot we could learn, and we could challenge our natural instincts to become numb to most things. Easy to blog about… I wonder if I’ll actually do it.

The answer to how did I get here is sometimes Dan Brose

Before I left for Uganda, Trina told me she was invited to an international tennis tournament that the U.S. Ambassador was holding. When I got back from Uganda, I was shattered… because the road from Burundi to Uganda is really long, and hard to describe, if you haven’t done it. Any long drive in Africa will take it out of you, and this was one of those. When I arrived back in Bujumbura at about five pm, nobody was home, and I was locked out. I was thinking Trina may still be at work. After some time, I managed to get into the house, and have a bite to eat as I waited for the belle. About an hour later I hear trina’s truck pull up, and I go out to have a proper greet. She’s cheerfully walking up the yard, with tennis bag, and racket in tow. I ask her where she’s been and she said she just won her first match in the tournament.
Now this isn’t the first tournament Trina has played in during our time in Burundi. It’s like… the third or fourth. And I don’t care that she hasn’t won, or made it to the finals in these tournaments mainly because, she’s too good to play against girls, so she’s always playing these big Burundians who are twice her size, and are many times stronger, and she just looks so cute out there playing against these guys. Like this helpless small creature fighting these huge creatures, but you notice… “wow, that little creature has some punch… too bad she’s so small, when compared to these other guys.” Now Trina is a fierce optimist, and occasionally she says something like, “I may make it to the finals this time.” I don’t mind that… if she does, great, if not… great. She loves tennis, and she’s blessed to be able to play. She’s good at tennis, and it’s good for her to have a tension/stress relieving mechanism… and tennis by all accounts is a good mechanism.
Jim wins everything when it comes to tennis tournaments here, and that’s just fine. He’s our friend, and I think he’s originally from Minnesota but I’m not positive. Trina and I really like Jim, and we have him over from time to time, and he has us over. He’s here on a mission too, and we always have lots to talk about. Jim was invited to the tournament, just like Trina, and we all suspected Jim would win. Before Trina played her next match, she said something like: “I may play Jim in the finals.” I thought… why would she want to play Jim, there is no chance she could win. But of course it’s not all about winning. What’s it about again? I can never remember.
Now, if you are in this tennis tournament, you are allowed to invite two guests to the ambassadors house to have some snacks, and a bar-b-que and some drinks, and watch the finals of the international tournament. The ambassador, and her husband would be there, some distinguished guests, from other embassy’s and countries. I happened to be one of Trina’s invites, which was cool, and the other invite was Trina’s coach. I took a sigh of relief as I realized I barely made it onto the invite list, as Trina has many fans. I was surprised and delighted to see my friend Chris from the South African Embassy show up to watch the match as I hadn’t seen him in a while. I don’t have to tell you Trina made it to the finals do I… Trina made it to the finals. And she was nervous.
Before we go to the Ambassador’s house, I always ask things like: What do I call the Ambassador again… is it your honor? Or Madam Ambassador? Or your Excellency? Trina says yes to all three because she’s nervous, and it’s not a priority at this time to tell me how to address the ambassador, and I take mild offense to that but have enough grace not to get mad. She’s too concerned about the tennis match, and she says things like. “I’m so nervous.” I gracefully remind her. “Don’t worry, you’re going to loose… and when I know I’m going to loose, I find that thought very freeing.” Sometimes it’s weird when people get mad at you for telling the truth. Trina couldn’t believe how insensitive her truthful husband was, but I was honestly trying to share knowledge that works for me. When I know I will loose, I’m completely calm, and enjoy my loosing. It’s not about winning, it’s how you enjoy the loosing. Right? The loose mentality is a win win. If by some chance you actually win, well that’s great… you didn’t see that coming, so you’re excited. And if you loose… well that’s what you expected. No problems… it’s a win win either way. Trina just refused to see it, I can forgive her for that.
At the embassadors party, I felt very important. I said important and meaningless things to important people. I went from one important conversation to the next. I was dressed smart, and was on my game. I wasn’t king on the scene, but I wasn’t the court jester either… and after a while, I camped out next to the honey mustard pretzels. The ambassador gets American foods shipped out, and I hardly ever get to eat the American way, so I OD’d on the pretzels, then after a while, I realized I was missing the game because I was consumed with the pretzels. All the important people had moved courtside, and there was an empty seat for the husband of Trina. Shoot! I told myself to calm down and take a few breaths, “you’re not an idiot Seth. This could have happened to anyone. You just got side tracked by the pretzels again… no big thing. Pull yourself together, and get your butt in that empty chair, as casually as possible… and plan an important line, to say to the important people next to you.” Check.
I worked my way to the chair, dropped in, and said to the guy next to me. “Trina’s got a great fore-hand… good top spin.” Check and mate.
Trina did better than I expected. She still lost, and that’s okay. It was fun to see all eyes on Trina, playing her heart out. The ambassador, and others cheering her on, enjoying the match, that Trina and Jim put on for us. I was proud of the little belle out there. And there were a couple of close games too. It was a moment when you wonder… how did I get here. I have a lot of moments like that these days, and I really love it.

recent observations

Couple of things. I’m making spaghetti while listening to BBC world. The headline is “d day” it’s January 5th, and I wondered what it was about. The news reporter went on how it is divorce day, the most popular day of the year for divorce. Reason being, the stress of the Christmas holiday! They had a divorce lawyer from Manchester on the phone for an interview. The lawyer talked about the long line outside his office of people wanting divorces, and how busy this time of year is for him. They estimated that 1.3 million people will get divorced in the U.K. alone. I was fascinated, and I stopped my food preparations and zeroed in on the radio. Over and over, they said the stress of the holiday, they even said the global financial crisis will instigate far more divorces than the past years, and that this will be a record year for divorce and break ups. I wish they opened up the news story for callers to weigh in with thoughts, but they never did. I was wondering what you all thought about “d day” and if you were aware of the phenomenon. Now, I’ve always been a bit blown away by the material nature of the Christmas season, and now hearing that the stress of this holiday results in mass divorce… dumbfounded. A penny for your thoughts?

Second thing, Obama is a phenomenon in East Africa if not all of Africa. I see his image everywhere I go. He is all over African clothes, cars, buildings, houses, streets, signs, merchant stands, everything. Tanzanians love him, Burundians love him, Nigerians love him, Rwandans love him, Kenyans… forget about it. Today I noticed a sound bite of Obama come on the radio whilst I was walking in Buj, and Burundians flock to the closest radio to listen to what he says even though they don’t really understand English. They flag me down to explain to them what Obama said. I take a few minutes to explain to them what the Obama sound bite was about as it was sort of obscure for Burundians to understand as it had to do with the 109 year old African American woman who voted and how she was alive a generation after slavery, and they explode into animated discussion, and pepper me with all sorts of questions about American history, and Obama, and money. They were furious when I said there was a time in the States when Africans couldn’t vote. Most of you are aware that the day Obama was elected has become a national holiday in Kenya. I was talking with some friends about this, and they told me that when parliament convened to make it a national holiday, there was a brief moment when they wondered why they should make it a holiday. Nobody put forth a very compelling reason but one member of parliament piped up: “Nigeria made it a two day national holiday” shortly after that comment, Kenya made it official. A few friends of mine in Kenya attending school laughed as they remembered getting out of school because Obama was elected. The whole nation, I’m talking Kenya, not America, went absolutely nuts. Kenyas’ son is Americas’ president.

Meanwhile in Burundi the small American community is torn. Some people think it’s America’s demise, others think Obama is America’s salvation. This seems to be normal behavior amongst Americans during any election. One thing is for sure: America is loved abroad again. Not in Palistine, and some middle eastern nations, but in Europe, in Africa, where Bush and America were once bad words never to be uttered (Bush still seems to be a bad word never to be uttered), now it’s all about the hope of America, it’s all changed simply because Obama is president. Every one of my European friends love Obama. In my life so far, I’ve never experienced this degree of positive American sentiment from the rest of the world. It always catches me off guard. I would never want to be Obama just for that reason. The global expectations on that guy, are unfair, and just plain not reasonable. Still, it’s far better to be loved than hated, obviously, but Obama is just a man, and to put so much faith in man, is always foolhearty. The good news though is when you follow a guy that unanimously, I think there is a lot of grace for when things don’t happen as intended. The world of Africa and Europe, seem unshakably hopeful. America and Canada as well, and I would imagine South America, and Mexico, though that’s just a guess. So buy your plane tickets fellow Americans, now is the time to travel abroad... except for the global econocmic crisis.

walking home

Saw two really poor kids as I walked home from dropping off Simons’ motorcycle on Sunday. I killed the battery so I had to fix the situation. So these two kids see a me coming, and it’s not long before they run up to me to ask for money… it was one of those times that I made the decision before I saw them that I wasn’t going to give any money. I had two 10 thousands in my wallet, and someone would steal it from them, plus there were many kids around and they’d all come flocking… and I gave some money to a Congolese refugee just an hour earlier, and I told myself that I already gave today… but that never works. The interesting thing is when the poorest people in the world come ask me for money, the first thing I think is how much I will get judged for not giving any money, or giving just a little bit of money. That because I’m now aware, now I've seen with my own eyes how bad, bleak, and desperate, most people on the planet live each day, I’m now in more trouble because I have knowledge, and money. I can’t play the: “I didn’t realize things were that bad” card. That’s a major card to have taken away, I keep thinking many of us in the West will try and play that card. I’m sure we all know it will never work, but that’s not the point. We think it might work if we bank on the grace card, and that’s all we need to give us daily peace of mind… and it’s peace of mind that we need to maintain a level of happiness in life, and all these abundantly poor, are keeping me from having comfort in my card, which is messing with my happiness. But these two kids have something I’ve not seen before. Each of them, in their hand carried a dead bird. I’m talking about one of those little birds that fly around in trees and bushes, and they tweet, and I remember thinking those are really small birds, you can’t eat those birds. So I asked them, “what are you going to do with those birds?” Of course they said they’re going to eat the birds. I felt really bad, and regretted asking. It was better if I just suspected they might eat the birds, but didn’t know for sure, but now I knew that they were so starved that they were going to eat these little birds that I thought were inedible. They kept walking with me and asking for money, and I kept wondering, “how hungry do I have to be in order to eat a bird like that?” I thought that I would eat grass, or leaves, before I’d eat a dirty little bird like that. I couldn’t figure out how they managed to kill those little birds. Neither of them had a home made sling shot and each bird wasn’t much bigger than a pebble that you sling at the bird to kill it. After about a hundred meters, the kids gave up trying to get money out of me, and they left me alone with my thoughts. For some reason, I pushed the guilt away and thought about my brother. I don’t know why, I just remember wondering about what he was doing. I pictured him framing a house in Bozeman, Montana, in the cold. Then I was wishing that I was back in America, but for a new reason that I never had before. I wanted to be in the States because I thought it was much easier to avoid everything there… I didn’t pin point what “everything” was, but I felt it, and I thought, “if I was in the States, I could avoid everything.” Then I thought that avoiding everything isn’t death, avoiding everything is a coma. It’s deciding to be brain dead to the world around you. I knew you could do that anywhere. I didn’t have to go to the States, but as soon as I realized that, that is what I wanted, I decided that was just stupid. Where do those thoughts come from anyway? Why is my mind doing that to me? So went I got home,I went into the kitchen, and poured myself a cold iced tea, then I went to the lab and loaded up a bunch of video footage, and started editing. I edited for a few hours until my mind could only think about the video I was making. It was a more comfortable thinking process. I guess I was self medicating. I’ll see those kids again. I know I will.

Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.

Dan Rather said that, and I find it's true of me. Long time eh... I'm hoping to be more regular, after I get back from winter break. I'll have a few videos for you as well. Sorry for the delay:

It’s been a good entrance back by all means. Great reconnecting with friends, excellent seeing Trina after a few weeks without her. Renewed energy, and getting settled back in to a newer community of people, which makes for a new experience of Burundi in many ways. The constant is our Burundian friends, and family. Since coming back, I’ve found things in Burundi to be much the same. But I want to point out some improvements by making a list:

Some roads have improved.
A few new buildings.
A new Indian Resturant.

I thought there would be more, but I’ll keep thinking. Burundi is sort of like the Shire, if change comes at all, it comes slowly. I’m not angry with Burundi. It’s just that improvements come slow. The government seems to be corrupting quite effectively, which is tiresome. There has been a perpetual gas shortage, and people are not going to work… which is new. It’s part of the slippery slope I didn’t see coming. When there is no gas, people decide not to go to work, because they don’t want to take the few taxis that are running… price gouging, long lines, etc… it makes sense. I’ve not seen that happen before. To this extent

Natural Gas shortage
Petrol Gas shortage

The shortage list is pretty short too, which is nice. That’s the shortage list from this last month or so possibly two. Though I here today that there is both petrol and natural gas. It’s funny when you think about driving into a gas station, and the attendants come running out shaking their finger at you, implying: “how dare you drive in here hoping to get some gas… get out of here.” I debated with a gas attendant for about 2 minutes on why he should sell me some gas that I know his boss has, and is saving for his boss’s friends and family, and people his boss wants to do business with. The attendant called for backup, and two attendants chased me off the lot. I’ve seen only three abandoned cars, and I’ve seen many pedal bikes pulling motor bikes who’ve run out of gas. Several friends have been stranded with no gas. My friend Val waited in line at one gas station for 8 hours for fuel…And I have a few friends who can’t cook because there is no natural gas. They told me they’ve been just eating fresh foods, and making dishes that don’t require cooking. I’m giving them huge creative points. It’s a good “end of the world” exercise to see how long you can survive without power, electric or gas. One must always roll with the punches. Here is a list of things Burundi has “run out of” since I’ve been here.

Gas
Natrual Gas
Sugar
Coke
Tonic
Fanta Citron
Fanta Orange
Fish
Chicken
Beef
Electricity
Water

I’m sure Burundi has run out of more items without my knowledge. But those items have resulted in fun conversations with locals, as when I discover that There is no “______” in the country, I always ask them, why they think that is, what has happened, and who do they think is responsible? I’ve gotten Great answers. One guy told me Congo, has taken all the fish in the lake. Another guy told me, that all the cows have died, or been killed because of too many wedding celebrations, and we have to get more from another country. Good stuff. Most of the time people tell me they don’t know why there is a shortage, and they don’t know when they will have more. I don’t mean to take this lightly. These are serious and unfortunate problems. I’ve not seen Burundians get super upset about these things, but I imagine a few of them may. I’m not bummed this time because I filled up my car at the right time, and Trina and I have yet to run out of natural gas. So this shortage I haven’t really felt. I guess I just can’t get over shortages recently. I wake up thinking about it, and go to be thinking about it. I don’t want to know the real answer, but I know it has something to do with money, power, and corruption.

To finish, some firsts in Burundi:

Ultimate Frisbee with cows on the pitch the entire time.
Frisbee golf with choice friends
Trina’s homemade ice cream

Hey Rakel

This is the video that i was telling you and the GO staff yesterday. Show it to jonathan if you can get the chance. I think it would work for the GO weekend. I can see if I can get a viewable copy for you. Cheers.

Congo world relief update

The situation in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is rapidly deteriorating.

As of July 2008, there were 800,000 Congolese displaced in North Kivu from their homes and villages ...approximately 1.5 million in all of DRC. Now the number is soaring even higher.

Violence between rebels and government troops has flared in recent weeks, despite a peace agreement. In eastern DRC, another 100,000 people have been uprooted in the last month alone with another 100,000 possible in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, the BBC quoted rebel troops stating that Goma would be targeted, where World Relief's operations are based.

"I don't know what is going to happen," said one aid worker, "but I think that Goma is going to fall."

Right now, the situation in Goma is incredibly tense, with many Congolese upset at the inability of the United Nations peacekeeping force to protect them. The 17,000-strong force has been unable to halt the violence in a region that has already been devastated by two different civils wars in the past decade.

Getting food and other urgent aid to millions affected by the violence has been impossible. One UN representative estimated only half the most vulnerable population have been reached, placing thousands at risk.

Congo has suffered over 5 million excess deaths in the past 12 years - an onslaught headed by malnutrition and disease spurred on by the conflict.

World Relief Plans Response

In the middle of the current crisis, World Relief is looking to get food, clothing, shelter and other vital supplies into the hands of uprooted families.

Safety protocol is being monitored. Paul Rebman, our Disaster Response Director, along with Maurice Omollo, Congo Country Director, Sam Fergusson, Managing Director of our microfinance institution, and their respective teams are closely monitoring the situation and leading our staff. Jean Paul Ndagijimana and Phil Smith are advising and supporting along with others.

Internally Displaced People (IDP) and refugee families need shelter, kitchen utensils, blankets, clothing and food. Many are arriving in Goma carrying nothing of their possessions. However, a number have been locked in their territories as fighting continues as they cannot move to areas of safety.

In partnership with local churches in and around the town of Goma, World Relief is preparing to provide targeted assistance to 3,000 families. This assistance may include temporary shelter materials, cooking kits, blankets, clothing, and a month's supply of food, depending on the needs of the family.

A smorgasbord of western things

Wow. The states have been good to me. Arrived on 21 sept. Thanks to all who warmly greeted us at the airport. We love you all. I had a bunch of equipment to fix. Goal number one, and it was all fixed within a weeks time. Absolutely stunning… bordering on miraculous. I am continually undone by how efficient things are. It’s mind blowing. At the same time, things are very expensive, but the service you get when you buy a product, along with the product quality are very high. It was sweet reconnecting with all the G-Shep folks and our team here who supports our work, Jonathan, Thurmans, Allen, T and Christi, Beth, Sara, Pietzolds, Lundeens, Lenny, Tanya, Brose’s the list keeps going, everyone who showed up a few Sundays back, friends and family: A sincere and grateful thank you to all.
I visited my esteemed colleagues in Vancouver. Becky and Jonathan, and the noobies, Annie and Robby. Jonathan helped me finish a video on a rape rehabilitation clinic, for doctors without borders. And we connected on future projects, and items of business, as well as the ever popular topic of emerging churches, and modern churches, in the post modern matrix.
I then returned to Portland for a little stint, went to Bend to see the Brose’s and attend a world relief meeting, then we were off to the coast, where I did a lot of reading, and watched some flicks. Then it was off to Montana, to see my fam. Dad has a sweet new victory motor cycle. Jesse’s new house with the land bridge, hot tub, and sauna are all par excellence. I didn’t fully test the sauna, so I’ll have to check it out next time, but the hot tube… superb. Montana is my favorite hot tub state. I’m keen to take my buddy Brando over to my brothers place to fully experience the sauna hot tub combo, in the middle of winter, no less than 3 feet of snow base on the ground. You’ll love it Brando.
Jaime my sister is now in Montana, working as a translator for deaf students, and I’m proud of her and her work as an advocate in Montana. I also like her new Toyota Scion. And her cool Indi rock that she plays. Jaime, I really need to get that music. It’s down right funky: and I must have it. It should be mandatory in most peoples ipods, and while I’m at it I should go ahead and make hot tubs mandatory for all Montanans. There, I’ve taken that far enough.
Now I’m back in Portland, and I’m in cahoots with Simon G buying obnoxiously cool equipment to make really challenging videos, that have never been made before in a country that nobody has ever heard of. Should be one of those really cool and challenging experiences I have in my brief lifetime.
I’ve been eating like a King. The food and drinks are nothing short of mind blowing at times. The flavors, the zest, the everything. I’ve gained weight. That’s all I’ll say. So many people have been graceful to us. We can’t thank you all enough for how you’ve blessed us. It’s been great reconnecting face to face with so many friends. All the new babies, and pregnant moms. It’s not even close to Africa in terms of baby to mom rations, but it’s still quite productive…everything seems to be working, procreation full steam ahead.
The micro brews in the North West continue to be the best in the world. There is nothing the rest of the world can do, and there is nothing the other states in America can do, to surpass the excellence of what Portlanders and Oregonians have achieved and continue to achieve in the micro brewing realms. They are so advanced, and I simply say: Well done Oregon brewing folk. Your work is tasty and full of calories, and I’m sorry about that hops crisis created by Bud’s move to domestic hops. Way to hang in there though. Andy is now a home brewer, and I will say your IPA is fantastic. The Brewed Awakening begun in the late 1800’s continues on, and can only fully realize itself at some sort of “Brewed Enlightenment” which isn’t for another hundred years or so. My only critique is that nobody seems to be using the banana in their brewing. It’s the forgotten fruit of the micro brew world, and I won’t even get into pomegranates in this post, but come on… it just makes sense. But to neglect the banana: to me this seems to be a grave mistake. Africans have been utilizing the banana since the earliest days, and I don’t think it’s unrealistic to have a banana hefeweizen at the very least, and I’m not even being that creative. What about a raspberry banana pale ale. Filter it if you like. There are at least 5 varieties of bananas that I can think of off the top of my head right now, and I’m not even trying that hard. This potassium charged fruit must be utilized along with the pomegranate before the micro brew enlightenment… I know that much. (what about a banana pomegranate pale ale…Oh my! It might be too delicious.)
Enough already. Our trip back to the states which I liken to a pit stop at the Indi 500, has been joyous, and everyone has been more than accommodating. We feel loved. Humbled and we’re simply blown away. I need to see some more of you out there. Dan, next week, Let’s do it. Whatever “it” is. Also, I want you to write my statement of beliefs, but only in regard to the Trinity. I’ve got everything else figured out…
Sorry it’s been so long. I’ve been too busy enjoying this trip. Much love to all.

Check out some vids

It was about three months ago, maybe more when my buddy Brando returned from a trip to Canada. I was in the process of several meetings with “doctors without borders” to do a film for a rape rehabilitation clinic. I could take it or leave it, but I was excited about doing something to help victims of rape if they chose to go with me to produce the videos. I went for a shot of Espresso at a place Brandon and I have been known to frequent. A restaurant called “umbuntu.” It was a sunny morning, we sat on the lawn under an umbrella table, and Brandon said a friend of his was going to give away thousands of soccer balls, and he needed a video to be made to promote his soccer ball give away, as well as photos. Brando was going to do the photos. That’s how it started. I was thinking. Shooting local soccer matches would be fun, plus it’s so beautiful here, and Burundians love football. For the next three months I would be driving around filming soccer matches, random kids playing with home made balls, and then driving to a rape rehab clinic for heavy shoots with children and women who have been raped. It was manic depressive for a while to say the least. Today, I just finished the last of the 18 videos I did for the rape rehab clinic… and as I finished I learned that all the little soccer videos I did are now online, as well as a little article I wrote with Antonio, the gentleman who is doing the ball distribution. I just wanted to share some links so you can see the vids, and learn more about the soccer ball give away. I think it’s great the Antonio wants to give out quality soccer balls to kids who would otherwise have no chance to ever play with a real ball. Until you see these kids get a quality ball with your own eyes, you really have no idea at how huge of a gift that is. Though if you check out the video “transformative powers of a football,” on the link below, you’ll see some pretty excited kids. You’ll also see my buddy Brando, who came on a few of the shoots with me, and you’ll see my car behind Brando, it’s a Toyota caldina. I haven’t named my car yet, but if you have any suggestions… I’m open. Also, my good friend, Lizzie did all the voice over work for me. She's choice for any voice over work. I'm fortunate to have her. Enjoy the videos, and consider giving some footballs to some of the poorest kids in the world. I’ve given away about thirty balls, and I imagine, I’ll give away a lot more before I leave.

Unfortunately, you may have to copy the link, and paste it into your address bar. Once on the COS website, simply click the videos icon. A page will open with four videos. Enjoy.

Link to the videos:

http://www.thecosfootballgiveaway.org/#view=9

Link to the article:

http://www.freekickmag.com/

Three weeks ago

“The United Nations reported in 1992 that income disparities between the world’s richest and poorest have doubled since 1960. Today, the wealthiest 20 percent of the world’s population receives almost 83 percent of the world’s income, while the poorest 20 percent receives less than 2 percent! In 1965, the average US worker made $7.52 per hour, while the person running the company made $330.38 per hour; today , the average worker makes $7.39 per hour, the average CEO $1,566.68 per hour – 212 times more!” Ched Meyers
Another ordinary Saturday with a few exceptions. The heat and humidity were typical dry season, which is way too much. Sitting in my office with a large cup of water, no shirt, fan blasting my back as well as the three external hard drives humming and blinking on my desk. Doing some final touches for a video I’m doing for Doctors without Borders on a rape rehabilitation clinic. Hoping to have everything done correctly by Monday morning. But of course I okay a meeting request because I’m guilt motivated and I can’t say no if you catch me at the right time.
Sulim was coming over for a meeting at 1pm, I needed to get all the corrections done before he comes because I know this meeting with Sulim was going to go long. He’s been without work for two months now, and he hadn’t paid his rent, and he was bumming the occasional meal from friends and family who hadn’t disowned him. He told me all that, the day before, and then said he wanted to meet with me. I knew I didn’t want to rush the meeting. I’ve been feeling patient lately. Four other people have scheduled meetings with me this last week alone, to ask for money to buy a house, land, school fees, equipment, chickens. Food, etc etc add infinitum. Some I’ve given money to, some I’ve loaned money to, some I turned down. Others have been calling, I imaging with similar requests, I was dodging their calls. They’ll find me, and ask my why I wasn’t answering my phone…. Why don’t I just answer the phone. I hate excuses when people give them to me, yet I give out excuses like Burundian greetings. Some will wait outside my place until I come out… there is no avoiding people here.
Sulim is a hard working young man. Born in Burundi, but his family is from Congo. He is a mechanic by trade, and was recommended by a friend, after my former mechanic really screwed up my car.
In Burundi fashion, you must have a long conversation, then, at the end of the conversation, one must present his request, the reason for the meeting. Sulim, said that he once had five clients. But one got in a car accident, and the car was destroyed. The other got a new car donated, and will get work done at the dealership to keep the warranty active. The stories continued in this vein until he got to me… his last client, who recently bought a motorcycle to save on gas. So now, he has no work, and he’s searched, but cannot find anything. My mind drifted for a moment on how every small choice we make can deeply effect the life of someone else, I wondered how many times I’ve made choices that have left someone in the lurch, and I’ve never known. I zero’d back in on the conversation. I took him out to lunch, to get a change of location. I told him, that I’m sad about how difficult life is here. He kept repeating, “life is very difficult in Burundi.” Sulim is among the worlds poorest, those receiving less than 2 percent of the world’s income. He’ll go for months without making any income, and then he’ll make about 10 dollars, and that will have to last him a month, and his story is the same as millions of others who live in Burundi. He said, he doesn’t want to ask for money, that he’s not like to do that to me, that it embarrasses him. He wants work, he said, “I’m young and strong now, this is the time I can do lots of work, I can be a driver, or a mechanic, or both, but I can’t find work. It’s embarrassing for me to come to you, and ask for things, but if I asked for money, once the money is gone, I’d have to come back and ask for more. That is a problem. I want to ask you to find me work because if I get work, than I won’t have to keep coming back. “
I told him that I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a mechanic. That I’m a videographer, and that I don’t know the car industry of Burundi. I told him that I will look for work for him, and its been three weeks, and I haven’t found any. So I asked him to change my gas filter… I didn’t need it changed, but I thought… I can sort of change small things, that are good to change, and pay him some money. I didn’t feel good about it. I also, looked at it as a French lesson every time he’s here as he can’t speak engllish. Helps me justify expenses to look at all the angles. I let him shower at the house, then I gave him a shirt. Told him I’d continue looking for work. So many people every day, sharing less than 2 percent of the worlds wealth. When statistics become friends, it’s life changing. Not major, all at once dramatic change, I have little to no respect for that kind. It’s slow, small choices, small choices that help people, especially those sharing two percent of the worlds wealth, holistic change over the course of ones life… until death.

Is everyone talking about this?

Sometimes my buddy Jeremy keeps me updated with current happenings in the states. I know gas hikes are probably discussed quite a bit. Here in Burundi in the last year and a half I've seen at least 4 gas hikes, since my arrival, pushing food cost up along with everything else. I may have already posted about this... I'll have to go back and see. But we did a month without petrol here (the gov simply refused the demands of the gas companies, and they stopped bringing in fuel), diesel to be exact. And we're coming off the strike to higher prices. We're about 10 bucks a gallon for gas, and I don't know what diesel is at. I remember sitting in Environmental science class in 11th grade, and my teacher said "in you're lifetime you can expect to see gas prices reach 10 dollars a gallon." at the time I was paying between 99 cents a gallon and $1.04. I thought to myself after he said that: "no way, who can afford that price. Not in my lifetime." Sure enough I have experienced 10 dollars a gallon, though not in the States yet, and I am sure that many lifestyles are about to change. The year of the motorcycle has begun, as have diesel coversion conversations with friends. We're all discussing possibilities of converting diesel engiens to vegetable oil...

Burundi raises fuel prices by 8 percent
Fri 11 Jul 2008,

BUJUMBURA (Reuters) - Burundi has raised fuel prices an average of 8 percent due to high global oil prices, the government said on Friday.
"We didn't have a choice," Trade Minister Euphrasie Bigirimana told Reuters. "The price of oil is at a record now, and also our local currency is becoming weaker day after day against the U.S. dollar."
Burundi's central bank said annual inflation fell back to 26 percent in May from 27 percent in April. It stood at an average of 18 percent for the first quarter of 2008.
The coffee-growing nation is struggling to emerge from more than a decade of ethnic war that killed some 300,000 people. Landlocked in central Africa, it is largely dependent on imports via Mombasa port on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya.

You gotta love the Onion

One of my favorite college news papers, Karl Swingle introduced me to the onion. Now my hero Dan Brose, has sent me an article. Dan I hope it's okay that i posted this... it's all good fun right...
Related to this article, the actual phone network here is so oversubscribed, that I can make phone calls now between 6am and 8am, at noon, and sometimes late at night. Nobody seems to be able to make calls or send texts, and there is nothing we can do about it. Some of my friends here, have thrown their phones, some choose to not look at their phone anymore, and the rest of us, vent about how the communication is absurd. I'll let you know if the service gets better. The positives, internet still works. we've got dial up capacity.


The Onion is not intended for readers under 18 years of age. © Copyright 2008 Onion Inc. All rights reserved.

U.S. Intelligence: Burundi May Be Developing Telephone

JULY 10, 2008 ISSUE 44•28
WASHINGTON—According to a report released by the Pentagon, evidence suggests that the small Central African nation of Burundi may be developing a telephone, and
experts warn the country could be just 10 years away from achieving a dial tone. "If Burundi's telephone has long-distance capabilities, it will be possible for them to reach
the continental United States and parts of Canada with just the push of several buttons," CIA spokesman Richard Caburn said. "Thankfully, we possess advanced caller ID
technology, so if they ever decide to call, we will be prepared." The Pentagon has mailed Burundi a letter asking them to end their communications program immediately,
and has not ruled out the option of a preemptive nuclear strike on the nation.
U.S. Intelligence: Burundi May Be Developing Telephone The Onion - America's Finest... Page 1 of 1
http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/u_s_intelligence_burundi?utm_source=onio... 7/10/2008

Human Trafficking

First of all, a very talented friend of mine, Sam Sanchez did this video on child trafficking. I met Sam in Burundi and I helped him to make a video for Turame which is on my blog a few posts back. I am a fan of Sam and his work and I like to plug other artists out there trying to make a difference with their work. This is a powerful music video and it's very well done. You won't regret checking it out.

Check out this video: Constance





CHILDREN from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi are reportedly trafficked into Uganda for sexual exploitation, commercial and agricultural labour, according to a United States report.
The leading traffickers, according to the report, are employers, companies which send security guards to Iraq and the LRA rebels.

"Some security companies in Kampala recruit Ugandans to serve as security guards in Iraq where, at times, reportedly they withhold their travel documents and pay as a means to prevent their departure; this may constitute trafficking."
The report is titled '2008 Trafficking in Persons' and was issued ON June 11.
Uganda, it said, is a destination of forced labour workers from Pakistan, India and China.
Ugandan children, the report states, are trafficked within or taken to Canada, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for sexual slavery.
"Karimojong women and children are sold in cattle markets or by intermediaries and forced into domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, herding and begging," the report said.
The report, the eighth of its kind, was released by the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on June 4 to raise the level of awareness worldwide and to stimulate action to address the crime of human trafficking.
The various forms of human trafficking, the report stated, constitute "modern-day slavery."
It singled out Uganda as "a steadfast partner" and promised to stand by any nation committed to fighting the crime.
"We are aware of that problem. The Government is dealing with it in collaboration with international partners," internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said yesterday.
On the LRA, the report noted: "Until August 2006, the terrorist rebel organisation abducted children and adults in northern Uganda to serve as soldiers, sex slaves and porters." It said the LRA exported its abductions to the Central African Republic and the DR Congo where at least 300 additional people, mostly children, were abducted since February.
Relevant Links

Ugandan Police say child trafficking crimes increased last year. In a report, the Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said 54 children had been kidnapped, abducted or stolen. Seven victims of trafficking were rescued, the Police said.
The US report saluted a rights group, the Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda, for delivering a private members Bill in Parliament urging legislators to address the problem.
"Together, we remain committed to act as a voice for the many voiceless victims of this crime," the report said.

Burundi troops shot dead two rebels on Wednesday

Since this event there have been some small arms/grenade attacks, which can cause one to doubt the peace process here... at least causes one to question.

BUJUMBURA in a clash just two days after both sides declared an end to fighting, the military said.
Fighting between the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) and government troops had killed nearly 100 people in recent weeks. But they agreed on Monday to halt hostilities.
Both sides tried to play down Wednesday's incident.

"It will take time for both sides to respect the truce, but I don't think the incident will stop the peace process," said FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana. "Everyone needs peace now."
The FNL is the last remaining rebel group from more than a decade of civil war that killed some 300,000 people.
"Our troops told a group of FNL fighters who were coming towards their position to stop, but they refused," said army spokesman Colonel Adolphe Manirakiza.
"So they considered this a provocation and shot at them."
The clash took place in the rebel stronghold of Gihanga, 15 km (9 miles) out of the capital Bujumbura, early on Wednesday.
The return of FNL officials 12 days ago from neighbouring Tanzania has brought hope a delayed peace deal, first signed in September 2006, will finally be implemented.
The FNL conflict is seen as the final hurdle to lasting stability in the coffee-growing nation of 8 million people.

Burundi rebel leader returns from exile

3 days ago

BUJUMBURA (AFP) — The leader of Burundi's last active rebel group Agathon Rwasa returned from exile Friday, four days after his group inked a truce with the government, raising hopes of an end to a 15-year civil war.
The National Liberation Forces (FNL) chief flew into Bujumbura on a plane that also carried South African Security Minister Charles Nqakula, the chief mediator in recent efforts to bring peace to Burundi.
"Today, the time has come

for us to look ahead and build peace and stability for the sons and daughters of our country," Rwasa said at a press conference after arriving.
Rwasa, who was also accompanied by top two lieutenants, was welcomed at the airport by several senior government officials while large crowds lined the main road between the airport and the city centre to greet him.
A spokesman for President Pierre Nkurunziza welcomed Rwasa's return, calling it "a very important date" in the peace process.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon described it as a "significant development" and urged the two sides in a statement "to seize this opportunity to finally end the long-standing conflict in Burundi".
His return from Tanzania marks a new step in moves to definitively end the civil war that has plagued the impoverished central African nation since 1993, leaving at least 300,000 people dead.
"This is a very important chapter in Burundi's history," Nqakula told reporters.

On May 26, the FNL and the government signed an unconditional and immediate ceasefire, bringing to an end the latest spate of deadly fighting between the two sides.
FNL fighters had launched a major attack in and around the capital Bujumbura on April 17, sparking a fierce retaliation by the army.
The clashes were the most serious in years and left more than 100 people dead and thousands displaced, raising fears that the country could plunge back into chaos.
A cessation of hostilities had already been agreed upon in 2006, but the implementation of the deal never got off the ground, prompting peace talks to break down.
The fresh violence accelerated efforts to rekindle a peace process and a group of FNL negotiators who had quit talks last year returned to Burundi earlier this month.
Rwasa was born in 1964 and joined the FNL -- the country's first Hutu rebel group -- 20 years ago before eventually taking over its leadership in 2000.
He has shuttled between Burundi and Tanzania since 2005 and is not believed to have returned to Bujumbura since 1988.
When the ceasefire was signed earlier this week, both sides pledged the war was finally over but diplomats warned a lot of ground had yet to be covered.
The government has asked the FNL to disarm and its fighters to regroup in designated areas.
"We are in favour of this idea," Rwasa said. "We want the Palipehutu-FNL to be recognised as a political partner," he added, in reference to the name of the rebel group's political branch.
New York-based Human Rights Watch on Friday released a statement calling on the police and judicial officials to release what the watchdog said were scores of people detained on suspicion of links to the FNL.
"Some people have been in detention for weeks, even though Burundian law clearly prohibits holding anyone without charge for more than seven days," said Alison Des Forges, senior adviser to HRW's Africa division.

Let's have some peace... come on we can do it.

Burundi rivals observe truce
3 hours ago

BUJUMBURA (AFP) — The government of the African state of Burundi and the last active rebels on Tuesday enforced an armistice seeking an end to 15 years of civil unrest, an army spokesman said.

The deal between the government and the rebel National Liberation Forces (FNL) was reached Monday after a six-week round of fresh fighting that left more than 100 people dead and thousands displaced.

"There is a total halt to hostilities between the army and the FNL since yesterday," the spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza told AFP.

"No fighting was reported and the small incidents that occurred were resolved through dialogue," he added.

Manirakiza said that a group of rebel fighters sought to set up a new position some 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of the capital Bujumbura, but mediators intervened and they retreated to a nearby forest hideout.

The rebels are required to remain in their current positions, the official explained.

Last week, the two sides resumed talks on the implementation of a ceasefire signed in 2006 which they have since repeatedly violated.

The conflict in Burundi has left at least 300,000 people dead in 15 years, and fears had mounted of another protracted period of bloodletting when combat resumed on April 17.

Facts about Refugees

In the world today there are:

13.9 million refugees
80 percent children
17 years is the average length of time a refugee spends in a refugee camp
48 thousand were brought to America this last year

Refugees

A refugee is recognised under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as a person who is outside their country of origin, and; having a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country".
This definition was expanded in the Conventions' 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa to those who have fled war or other violence in their home country.
In 2006 there were approximately 10 million people around the world recognized as refugees under the 1951 UN Convention/1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention.
However, references to "refugees" and other Refugee Realities communications are including all people who are of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), including refugees, internally displaced peoples, returnees, asylum seekers and stateless people. There were approximately 34 million persons of concern to the UNHCR in 2006.

Internally Displaced Persons

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is someone who has been displaced by war, conflict or persecution but is still located within their country of origin. IDPs are therefore not able to claim refugee status or be considered for permanent resettlement in another country. However they the UNHCR extends protection and/or assistance to IDPs. There were more than 14 million IDPs around the world in 2006.

Returnees

Returnees are refugees or internally displaced peoples who have returned to their place of origin during the calendar year. There were approximately 2.6 million returnees around the world in 2006.

Asylum seekers

An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for refugee status but whose decision is pending, or who is otherwise registered with the UNHCR as an asylum seeker. In 2006 there were approximately 750,000 registered asylum seekers globally.
There are more than 12,000 asylum seekers in Australia living on a bridging visa, many of whom are denied the right to work.

Stateless people

A stateless person is not considered to be a national by any State under the operation of its laws. There were over 5 million stateless people in 2006.
Protection
"Protection" is all activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law, i.e. human rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law.

Non-derogable rights

Non-derogable rights are human rights that cannot, under any circumstances, be lawfully denied to any human being. An example of a non-derogable right is the right to life.

Derogable Rights

Derogable rights are human rights that may be curtailed in extreme circumstances such as war or conflict. An example of a derogable right is the right to freedom of movement.