A Vernon family finds itself caught in the middle of a volatile situation as uncertainty envelops a central African nation.
President Pierre Nkurunziza’s attempt to seek a third term has led to widespread violence in Burundi’s capital of Bujumbura, and thousands of people have fled to neighbouring countries.
“Daily there’s gunfire, explosions and grenade attacks,” said Ray Bale, who operates schools and homes for orphaned children with his wife Mary Anne and almost 11-year-old son Boss.
“The police are manning barricades and trying to keep them (protesters) on the outskirts but it’s right downtown.”
As a result, Bale has been unable to physically get to the children’s home and its 62 occupants.
“Our children are fine. Through phone messages and calls we’re able to reassure them,” he said.
Many of the children have previously experienced massacres and war in their native Congo.
“This is stirring up memories. There is a fear of, ‘Will this happen again,’” he said.
“Sometimes it’s just a case of holding the kids while they are shaking.”
The current situation is the worst Burundi has seen since the end of a 13-year civil war in 2005.
“When there is a window of opportunity, people move about but when the shooting begins, people get back into their homes,” said Bale.
“It’s all around an election but it wouldn’t take much to become another ethnic war.”
Some children from the home have already been evacuated, and more may have to leave if the violence escalates. Through adjacent Congo, they would flee to Rwanda.
“We are in the process now of making more defined contingency plans to move the children and mamas to Rwanda perhaps as early as next week,” said Bale.
“Things continue to deteriorate and unless we see significant changes over the weekend, it may leave us no choice. I will probably remain behind to help facilitate further plans for support and keep our ongoing projects moving forward but will assess the situation on a daily basis.”
Bale began working in Burundi in 1995 and the family moved their in 2002 to continue with their work through New Hope Centre and Vernon Christian Fellowship.
They just returned to Burundi from Vernon in March, and the family knew that political turmoil could create challenges. They didn’t fear for their safety or question going back.
“If we had any thoughts of that, we wouldn’t have come. We wanted to provide stability for the children and the work we do,” said Bale.
While financial assistance will be required if relocation of the children becomes necessary, Bale is asking North Okanagan residents to keep his students and the people of Burundi in their thoughts.
“It’s a whole nation and if it slips back into war, the work of the last 10 to 12 years will be for naught, and no one wants that,” he said.
