Valuable assistance for families affected by leprosy amid growing needs

From 14 to 17 September 2026, the Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM), together with its partners, the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNLT) and Action Damien, distributed school kits to 753 students.

As one of the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) Field Centres in Burundi, the Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM) contributes to AJAN’s mission of responding to the Society of Jesus’ Second Universal Apostolic Preference (UAP 2): Walking with the Excluded. Through its accompaniment of individuals and families affected by leprosy, SYM puts this preference into practice by standing alongside vulnerable and marginalised communities, addressing stigma and promoting their social and economic inclusion. Supporting the education of children from these families is an important part of this mission, helping to protect their dignity, promote equal opportunities and ensure that economic hardship and discrimination do not prevent them from accessing education.

SYM Standing Alongside People Affected by Leprosy

For many years, the Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM) has supported individuals and families affected by leprosy, in collaboration with the PNLT and Action Damien. Our work aims to promote the inclusion and socio-economic reintegration of these vulnerable and stigmatised populations.

As part of this support, the partners have helped establish and strengthen approximately 20 community-based associations, while promoting their socio-economic empowerment through income-generating activities. Today, more than 600 people affected by leprosy benefit from this initiative.

The programme operates in eight former provinces of Burundi: Cibitoke, Bubanza, Ruyigi, Rutana, Bururi, Rumonge, Cankuzo and Makamba.

Easing the Burden of a New School Year: Exercise Books and Pens to Help Children Return to School with Confidence

For the 2026 school year, 753 primary school pupils, children of people affected by leprosy, received school supplies in Bujumbura and Burunga Province.

The supplies distributed included:

• More than 1,450 100-page exercise books
• Approximately 1,430 60-page exercise books
• Approximately 1,000 36-page exercise books
• More than 1,460 blue pens

This assistance helps ease the financial burden of the new school year on families and supports their children’s education. Indeed, for many families, the start of a new school year comes with significant expenses that are difficult to meet, including school fees, uniforms, equipment and learning materials.

These challenges are particularly pronounced among vulnerable and stigmatised populations, who often have limited access to economic opportunities. To address this situation, SYM and its partners have supported the development of income-generating activities in agriculture and livestock farming for people affected by leprosy.

However, leprosy can cause significant physical disabilities. As a result, some affected parents may experience difficulties engaging in income-generating activities.

Through this initiative, SYM works to ensure that children remain in school and enjoy equal opportunities in accessing education. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain.

Needs Exceed Available Resources: Valuable Assistance, but More Support Is Still Needed

In 2026, the distribution of school kits focused on primary education. However, the supplies distributed were insufficient to meet the needs of all the children or cover all levels of education.

This situation is unfortunately due to several factors:

• Rising market prices, which have increased the cost of school supplies;
• The addition of a new association to the programme.

To strengthen this support, SYM and its partners aim to:

• Gradually align the number of school kits with the number of children benefiting from the programme;
• Explore support for secondary school students, particularly through the provision of exercise books or school uniforms;
• Monitor the children’s school attendance and progress to better assess the impact of this assistance.

The school year opening may pass, but the commitment remains. SYM and its partners continue to accompany families affected by leprosy as they navigate stigma and economic hardship.

Por, Equipa de Comunicação,

Service Yezu Mwiza, Burundi.