Burundi is grappling with an escalating child abandonment crisis, driven by factors including poverty and unaddressed mental health issues, according to recent reports. Joséphine Nahimana, a septuagenarian widow residing on Colline Musave in Commune Kayanza, is currently raising five grandchildren after their mother, her daughter, abandoned them due to mental health struggles. Nahimana recounted her ordeal, stating, "My daughter's mental health is not good. She cannot control herself. Every time she gets pregnant, she abandons the child in the street, and I am called to come and retrieve it. The last one, she had abandoned in Ngozi. After searches, the administration of the Ngozi commune contacted me to come and pick him up." This incident notes a recurring pattern of abandonment, where her daughter abandons children each time she becomes pregnant, with the latest instance involving a child left in Ngozi. Separately, in May, authorities discovered another child abandoned by the roadside in Zone Kamenge, Commune Ntahangwa, further showing the severity of the situation. These cases paint a stark picture of a growing social challenge, placing immense pressure on families and social services alike.
Faces of Abandonment
Joséphine Nahimana stated her daughter's mental health issues lead her to abandon children each time she becomes pregnant, with the most recent instance involving a child left in Ngozi. "La santé mentale de ma fille n’est pas bonne. Elle ne se contrôle pas. Chaque fois qu’elle tombe enceinte, elle abandonne l’enfant dans la rue et l’on m’appelle pour venir le récupérer. Le dernier, elle l’avait abandonné à Ngozi. Après des recherches, l’administration de la commune Ngozi m’a contactée pour que je vienne le récupérer," Nahimana recounted. She finds herself in a difficult position, caring for five grandchildren and actively seeking the return of her vulnerable person card to access key aid. This card is essential for her to provide for the children's basic needs, noting the economic strain placed on her family by these repeated abandonments.
Children abandoned in similar circumstances are sometimes cared for in Commune Gahombo or a dedicated center located in Gitega. These facilities offer a temporary refuge for some of the most vulnerable children, providing immediate care and shelter. Following the public revelation of Nahimana's situation, the administrator of Kayanza commune extended an invitation to her to present her case for review, indicating official acknowledgment of her plight and a potential avenue for support. This official engagement suggests a recognition of the severe challenges faced by families like Nahimana's and the broader community impact of child abandonment.
Roots of the Crisis
Poverty stands as a primary driver of child abandonment in Burundi, according to Audrey Ariella Ineza, a psychologist at Fondation Stamm in Kayanza. This assessment comes amidst ongoing incidents of abandonment across the country. The economic hardships faced by many families often push parents to desperate measures, leading to the tragic decision to abandon their children. In Quartier Tenga, Zone Rubirizi, Commune Ntahangwa, police arrested a young girl after she attempted to abandon her child, showing the immediate and severe consequences of such actions. Authorities continue to investigate such cases, often struggling to identify the parents involved. For instance, the mother of the child discovered abandoned by the roadside in Zone Kamenge had not been located as of the article's press time, making it challenging for authorities to understand the full circumstances leading to the abandonment and to provide appropriate follow-up care. These cases highlight the complex factors contributing to the crisis, with economic hardship frequently cited as a significant underlying cause, often intertwined with mental health challenges and lack of social support. The lack of resources and support systems for vulnerable individuals further exacerbates the problem, creating a cycle of poverty and abandonment.
Community and Official Response
The Kayanza commune administration regularly registers cases of children abandoned by their mothers, indicating a persistent local challenge that requires ongoing attention and resources. Joséphine Nahimana, whose daughter frequently abandons her children, is seeking the return of her vulnerable person card to access key aid for the five grandchildren she now cares for. Nahimana previously stated, "My daughter's mental health is not good. She cannot control herself. Every time she gets pregnant, she abandons the child in the street, and I am called to come and retrieve it. The last one, she had abandoned in Ngozi. After searches, the administration of the Ngozi commune contacted me to come and pick him up." Her plea for the vulnerable person card shows the critical need for social safety nets to support extended families who step in to care for abandoned children.
Fondation Stamm in Kayanza provides shelter and care, currently hosting twenty children, many of whom were found in street situations, noting the immediate impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable. This organization also facilitates international adoptions, offering a potential path to stability for children who cannot be reunited with their biological families or placed within their extended families. Through collaboration with the former Ministry of National Solidarity, four children have been adopted by Canadian families, offering a pathway to permanent homes for some of Burundi's most vulnerable and providing them with opportunities for a brighter future. The efforts of organizations like Fondation Stamm are key in mitigating the immediate effects of child abandonment and offering long-term solutions for these children. The ongoing challenges demand a multi-faceted approach, combining social support, mental health services, and poverty alleviation programs to address the root causes of this escalating crisis in Burundi.