Restoring Dignity, Health, and Hope to Burundi's Elderly
What We Do
Burundi Elderly Home Care (BEHC) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of vulnerable older persons through community-based outreach services that promote dignity, health, social inclusion, and well-being.
Since our establishment, BEHC has directly assisted 257 elderly beneficiaries from Bujumbura Mairie, Commune Ntahangwa, Zone Buterere—one of the most underserved and economically disadvantaged communities in Burundi. Through our outreach programs, we have reached elderly individuals who often live alone, experience neglect, suffer from chronic illnesses, or lack access to essential support systems.
Although our long-term vision includes establishing a dedicated elderly care center, current financial constraints have limited our operations to community outreach services. Nevertheless, our commitment remains unwavering: ensuring that every older person we encounter is treated with respect, compassion, and dignity.
Our interventions are designed to address the social, health, emotional, and economic challenges facing older persons while generating evidence and knowledge that can contribute to improved elderly care policies and practices in Burundi. Community-based elderly care has been recognized internationally as an effective approach for promoting dignity, inclusion, and healthy aging among vulnerable older populations.
OUR IMPACT
Through dedication, community engagement, and limited available resources, Burundi Elderly Home Care has:
- Assisted 257 elderly beneficiaries.
- Conducted outreach activities in Zone Buterere.
- Increased awareness on elderly welfare issues.
- Connected vulnerable elders with support services.
- Provided psychosocial, nutritional, and social support.
- Built a foundation for future elderly care programming in Burundi.
Burundi at a Glance: Why BEHC Exists
Burundi is a small, landlocked country in East Africa with a population of over 13 million people, the majority of whom depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. Despite significant progress in peacebuilding and political stability over recent years, Burundi remains one of the world’s least developed countries, facing challenges such as widespread poverty, limited healthcare infrastructure, unemployment, and inadequate social protection systems. As life expectancy improves and the elderly population gradually increases, many older persons find themselves vulnerable to poverty, isolation, chronic illnesses, and neglect, particularly in underserved communities. In this context, Burundi Elderly Home Care (BEHC) plays a critical role in addressing the growing needs of older persons by providing community-based outreach services, health referrals, psychosocial support, advocacy, and social assistance. Through its interventions.
Elderly Health & Wellness Outreach
Many older people suffer from untreated chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, visual impairment, and age-related disabilities due to limited financial resources and inadequate access to medical services.
Through our health outreach initiatives, BEHC:
- Conducts community-based health screenings.
- Facilitates referrals to healthcare facilities.
- Promotes preventive healthcare and health education.
- Supports access to essential medications where resources allow.
- Raises awareness on healthy ageing practices.
- Partners with healthcare professionals and volunteers to provide basic medical services.
Food Security & Nutritional Support
Older people often struggle to cultivate land, generate income, or access adequate nutrition.
BEHC works to improve food security through:
- Emergency food assistance during periods of vulnerability.
- Community feeding initiatives.
- Nutritional support for elderly individuals living alone.
- Household food distribution campaigns.
- Promotion of sustainable community-based food production initiatives.
Every food package represents more than nourishment—it restores dignity, hope, and human connection.
Elderly Protection & Rights Advocacy
BEHC advocates for:
- Recognition and protection of elderly rights.
- Inclusion of ageing issues in development policies.
- Prevention of elder abuse and neglect.
- Improved access to social protection programs.
- Greater public awareness about the needs and contributions of older persons.
We believe that a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
Home Visits & Social Support
Many elderly individuals have lost spouses, live far from relatives, or have been abandoned.
Our volunteer outreach teams conduct regular home visits to:
- Provide companionship and emotional support.
- Assess living conditions and urgent needs.
- Identify vulnerable elderly persons requiring assistance.
- Connect elders to available social and community services.
- Encourage family and community engagement.
These visits create meaningful relationships and remind elderly persons that they remain valued members of society.
Emergency Assistance & Humanitarian Response
During crises, disasters, disease outbreaks, and economic shocks, elderly populations are often among the most affected and least supported.
BEHC responds through:
- Emergency relief distributions.
- Provision of essential household items.
- Emergency food and hygiene support.
- Community mobilization during humanitarian emergencies.
- Targeted assistance for elderly persons living in extreme vulnerability.
Community Awareness & Intergenerational Engagement
Burundi’s elders carry invaluable knowledge, cultural heritage, and life experience. However, rapid social changes have contributed to a growing disconnect between generations.
BEHC promotes:
- Intergenerational dialogue and learning.
- Community awareness campaigns on ageing issues.
- Youth volunteer engagement programs.
- Preservation of cultural knowledge and traditional wisdom.
- Community events celebrating the contributions of older persons.
Research, Data Collection & Knowledge Sharing
BEHC is committed to contributing evidence that can inform policy, programming, and investment in elderly care.
We support:
- Community-based assessments.
- Research partnerships.
- Data collection on ageing-related challenges.
- Documentation of elderly experiences and needs.
- Knowledge sharing with policymakers, academic institutions, and development partners.
Through research and evidence generation, we seek to improve understanding and strengthen responses to ageing issues in Burundi.
Volunteerism & Community Mobilization
BEHC engages volunteers, students, faith-based groups, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community leaders to support elderly persons through:
- Outreach activities.
- Home visitation programs.
- Fundraising initiatives.
- Awareness campaigns.
- Skills-based volunteering.
- Community service projects.
