Why Burundi

Burundi is called “The Heart of Africa” and is located between Kenya and Rwanda.

  • Population: 7.3 million (UN, 2005)
  • Capital: Bujumbura
  • Area: 10,740 sq miles (about the size of Maryland)
  • Major languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili
  • Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
  • Life expectancy: 41 years
  • Main exports: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides
  • GNI per capita: US $90 (World Bank, 2006) The third poorest country in the world.

    The Hearts Without Borders clinic project will be located in Ngozi. It will serve a population near the Rwanda border of approximately one million people, and be a resource to these five surrounding provinces who have suffered greatly from ten years of genocidal war. (Learn more about the history of Burundi.)

    Population of Provinces

    Ngozi
    600,000
    Kirundo
    200,000
    Kayanza
    100,000
    Butare (Rwanda)
    50,000
    Muyinga
    50,000

    National Support


    The President of Burundi, His Excellence Peter Nkurunziza, has personally met with Jeri Matson, founder of Hearts Without Borders. Upon learning about the medical clinic project, the President positively appreciated the initiative, giving it his full support.


    President Leopold Banzubaze (President of Foursquare Burundi) is the national leader of the clinic project. He has procured the land, construction architects and qualified medical staff for the clinic.