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Date: 20 October, 2005

Camille Ndahiro stands in front of Jamaa’s youth centre. photo: Christian Aid / Charlotte Brudenell
'We must be peace-builders now. We used force to destroy, now we need to gather this force and use it to build our country.'

Watching 26-year-old Camille Ndarhiro organise a lively throng of young children at Jamaa’s youth centre with such calm, patience and gentleness you would think he is a trained youth worker not an ex-fighter!

Peace and reconciliation activities run by Christian Aid’s partner, Jamaa, have helped Camille and many others come to terms with the past and break down the barriers dividing Burundi’s Hutu and Tutsi communities.

Things were different 12 years ago. In 1993, Camille was taking the entrance exam to secondary school when the civil conflict broke out in Burundi. For three years he stopped going to school and took part in the ethnic violence that tore the country apart.

Then in 1995 he was involved in the first meeting of Jamaa. 'We suddenly saw that it was ridiculous to lose our lives, fighting those who had once been our friends. We said no, that’s enough!’ Since then Jamaa – meaning friendship in Swahili - has been in contact with former hardliners among the youth on both sides, and has been very effective at bringing both groups together.

’The war here in Burundi was an ethnic conflict. Young people in particular were involved in the violence. The politicians and older people encouraged us to fight as we were strong and fit. The politicians would tell us to do this and that but the young people didn’t know they were being manipulated by the politicians’, says Camille

The first activity Jamaa organised was a football match between Tutsi and Hutu youth in the capital, Bujumbura. Since then, with Christian Aid funding, a youth centre has been built. The multipurpose community centre boasts a large hall used as a venue for discussions, film screenings and drama, complete with a stage and an arena with raised seats. Outside there's a basketball and volleyball court.

As the organisation grows, so does the building. Offices are currently being added and youth from both sides are involved in the construction work.

Camille is now Head of Communications for Jamaa and he is studying Information Technology at university. Many other people like Camille who were involved in the violence are now helping out at Jamaa.

'We must be peace-builders now. We used force to destroy, now we need to gather this force and use it to build our country. We need to make a huge effort to ensure peace lasts.' says Camille.

Jamaa continues to run educational and recreational activities with the aim of creating solidarity, peace and reconciliation and addressing thoughts of division at the centre.