A severe storm has devastated the Lycée Technique Mgr. Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa in Burundi, injuring 13 students and causing extensive damage to school infrastructure. The school, established in 2022 and the only secondary school in the Rubirizi region, now faces significant repair costs and challenges in ongoing student education. Community leaders are calling for urgent assistance to rebuild and provide necessary resources for affected students.
A powerful storm has severely damaged the Lycée Technique Mgr. Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa, the only secondary school in the Rubirizi region of Burundi, established by the United Methodist Church in 2022. Strong winds and torrential rainfall on October 30 resulted in the roofs being blown off two school buildings, leading to the injury of thirteen students who were subsequently hospitalized. The destruction extends beyond roofing, with several classrooms losing their walls and frames, further complicating the learning environment for the approximately 21,000 residents reliant on this educational institution.
Located 13 kilometers from Bujumbura, the high school is dedicated to technical training in electromechanics and works supervision. It holds significant importance for the community due to the absence of alternative secondary schools. The headmaster, Désiré Nirera, described the situation, stating, “We did an inventory to assess the damage. It’s very huge for us,” underscoring the extensive nature of the disaster, which has rendered some classrooms unusable.
Community members are alarmed; both parents and students express concern regarding the state of the school and its facilities. Repair costs are estimated at approximately 472 million Burundian Francs, equating to around $163,000 USD. Rev. Valentine Cimpaye, the district superintendent, noted the urgent need for immediate support, emphasizing that without reconstruction, the long-term educational prospects for students will be compromised. She stated, “The type of aid… is to bring tents, sheet metal and tubes to enable pupils to study while waiting for the reconstruction of the destroyed buildings.”
In the aftermath of this calamity, both local authorities and the church are seeking assistance to rebuild the damaged structures and restore vital resources for the school. Meanwhile, Cimpaye indicated a commitment to mitigate future risks by planting trees around the school and managing rainwater effectively. Other community infrastructures were also adversely affected, showcasing the widespread impact of the storm. Immediate action and support from governmental and nonprofit bodies are crucial for ensuring the continuity of education and community welfare in the region.
The Lycée Technique Mgr. Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa technical school, established in 2022, serves as a pivotal educational facility in the Rubirizi region of Burundi. It provides essential secondary education to a community that lacks alternative options for such schooling. The recent storm highlighted the vulnerabilities of such facilities in the face of extreme weather, emphasizing the urgent need for infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters. The repercussions of the storm not only affect immediate physical structures but also jeopardize the students’ educational journeys and overall community development.
The destruction caused by the recent storm at the Lycée Technique Mgr. Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa has posed significant challenges to the educational landscape in the Rubirizi region of Burundi. The response from the community and church officials highlights an urgent need for financial support and resources to facilitate repairs and ensure that students can continue their education. The storm’s impact extends beyond immediate physical damage, threatening future educational opportunities and highlighting the critical need for resilience in infrastructure against such natural disasters.
Original Source: www.umnews.org
