Burundi’s ethnic Batwa have invaded the streets of the Country’s commercial capital, Bujumbura, to beg as the only means of survival.
According to them government has neglected them and substantially excludes them from public services and programs, which has negatively impacted their livelihoods.
“ Poverty forces us to beg. I have six children to feed. My husband left me for another woman and left our village. I don’t even know where he is. Without land to cultivate, without capital to start a small business, what else can I do? Here in the street, at least, we manage to get enough to eat every day. That’s how life goes on, ” a mother of six told local media in an exclusive investigation.
She said children are paraded to trigger sympathy from well-wishers. She can fetch about 5,000BIF on a good day, which, according to her, can sustain the family.
“That’s our strategy here. That’s why I always come with all my children. Those under five bring in even more,”
Meanwhile, Anne Gakobwa, in her 50s, says she can leave the streets if she could save 50,000BIF. She said that if she had a little capital, she would start an income-generating activity.
“ Soon, I won’t have the strength left. It’s now or never. If I could get at least 50,000 Burundian francs, I could start a small business instead of spending my days sitting on the street pavements. We need the government to help us,” she pleaded.
