We’re excited to announce that the 5^th of 8 phases is complete at the Ruvumvu-Musumba water system! The project should be finished within 4-6 weeks if weather permits.  This particular region of Burundi is still in the rainy season which can make transportation of materials more difficult than normal.

Construction on the Ruvumvu-Musumba project began in November 2011 and will bring clean water to over 3,300 people. The system will feed directly to tap stands outside the Ruvumvu secondary school, the Songa commune offices, court house and the Ruvumvu health center, as well as providing the general population.

This project spans 6.5 kilometers (4.03 miles) and has provided jobs for hundreds of local citizens. The water is from three natural springs, and channeled to collection chambers. The water then travels to five cistern reservoirs which feed eleven tap stands in the area.

Here’s some photos displaying the project’s progress!

The Gazelle Foundation is honored to announce that two local high school students, Anna Nelms and Mariah Simank, placed first in the 2012 Lone Star Writing Contest with a feature article the girls co-authored on our own Gilbert Tuhabonye!

Anna Nelms and Mariah Simank with their awards.

The girls had first heard about Gilbert’s story when his book, This Voice in my Heart, was listed on Dripping Springs High School’s required summer reading list.  Gilbert also paid a visit to Anna and Mariah’s school the following semester to tell his story in person. The girls were inspired by what Gilbert shared with them, and knew they had to write a story about his triumphs.

“His story really touched us on a personal level and we wanted to share it with others in the community,” Anna said.

Anna and Mariah wrote not only about the terrible events that fateful day in 1993, but how it has stayed with him to this day.

“We wrote about him before and after the genocide in Burundi to capture not only that one terrible day, but also how it affected his entire life,” Mariah explained.

Anna and Mariah’s article also discusses how Gilbert’s story reached the school and how it has affected the lives of other students.

Both girls also placed in the UIL and Lone Start Writing Contest in previous years.

Read Anna and Mariah’s article here.

Know someone who needs volunteer hours? Been wanting to help the Gazelle Foundation but didn’t know how? Whatever your reason, we need your help! Please sign up for any time that fits best to your schedule, and thank you in advance for helping the Gazelle Foundation!

After registering we will send you more details on the event. Additional inquiries can be sent to info@gazellefoundation.com.

Opportunities in March and April are available at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SpringVolunteer

Please sign up for any time that fits best to your schedule, and thank you in advance for helping the Gazelle Foundation! After signing up we will send you more details on the event. Additional inquiries can be sent to info@gazellefoundation.com.