A Memoir of a Burundian in Uganda: The Adventure Beyond Job Opportunity By Juste Picasso Nduwayo

 A Memoir of a Burundian in Uganda: The Adventure Beyond Job Opportunity" By Juste Picasso Nduwayo

 

As a coffee entrepreneur and horticulture enthusiast, I embarked on a journey to Uganda in January 2018 to work as an Operations Manager at a coffee company in Manafwa , eastern Uganda. Little did I know that this move would be the start of an incredible adventure.

 My first year was a whirlwind of experiences - working in a new country, meeting new people, and navigating the challenges of working in a foreign country for the first time but with some coffee skills . As per now, I am married with two little children, Liam and Novah. These kids have gone to school,in an english system in burundi to be able to understand the innovations made by english speaking people. 

 My time in Uganda has been a steep learning curve. to navigate the complexities of working without direct supervision from my partners. One of the biggest challenges I faced was obtaining a work permit, which was a costly process yet Burundi and uganda are both members of East African community. 

Despite the challenges, I've grown to love my life in Uganda. I've learned to appreciate the local transportation system, including the infamous boda boda motorbike taxis ,despite their risks! I have learnt working 24/7 which is different from Burundi. 

Apart from coffee, i have learnt some horticulture farming  skills that i can do especially in coffee offseason. Horticulture is not only keeping me busy but also it is good for everyone health.  

Through my experiences, I've connected with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I've learned to be resilient, resourceful, and independent. This memoir is a testament to the power of adventure and the opportunities that await us when we step out of our comfort zones. 

The Search for Views: Modern Distractions in the Digital Age

 The Search for Views: Modern Distractions in the Digital Age 

Technology is a double-edged sword in modern life. While it offers numerous benefits, its misuse can lead to harmful distractions. The internet is flooded with vast amounts of information, making it essential for individuals to discern what is truly valuable. 

With the plethora of online content, including games, entertainment, education, motivation, business, politics, and wars, it's crucial to ask: "What do I want to spend my time on?" As young individuals and students, it's vital to focus on news and information that will shape your future career and personal development. In today's era of "views and likes," some individuals prioritize distractions over substance.

 For instance, someone might waste time posting nonsensical content on social media, disturbing their followers and offering no value in return. Even some journalists prioritize clicks over quality content, wasting readers' time and resources. 

To navigate this digital landscape effectively: 

- Block accounts that distract you 

- Verify the value of social media groups before joining 

- Help stop the spread of distracting information 

By being mindful of our online activities and focusing on valuable content, we can harness technology's potential for personal growth and development."

Ignorance and Illusion of Knowledge: The Twin Barriers to Burundi's Sustainable Development

 Ignorance and Illusion of Knowledge: The Twin Barriers to Burundi's Sustainable Development 

Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries, grapples with multifaceted challenges. While factors like war, culture, and leadership contribute to its poverty, I argue that ignorance and illusion of knowledge are the primary obstacles.

 Ignorance pervades among illiterate individuals and peasants, who are unaware of human progress and innovation. Comfortable with their status quo, they resist change and are easily deceived by politicians and foreign institutions. Despite significant investments, their living conditions remain unchanged. Learning and reading books can help to reduce ignorance amoong our citizens. 

On the other hand, the illusion of knowledge afflicts educated individuals, who possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical solutions. Burundi has invested billions in educating its citizens, yet they fail to address community problems. Instead, they criticize the government without offering concrete solutions. Following what is happening in other countries and travelling much can reduce that illusion of knowelge amoung intellectuals .

In contrast, intellectuals in developed countries have pioneered innovations in engineering, medicine, technology, and physics, transforming the world. Burundi, with its abundant raw materials, should follow suit. 

To break these barriers, our educated citizens must become practical problem-solvers, tackling community challenges like: 

- Developing water filtration tools for the poor communities 

 - Creating crop disease detection machines for mitigating the climate change 

- Manufacturing affordable shoes and medicinal tablets for poor people 

- Crafting pottery and dishes from local materials to reduce at funds spent on importing 

- Building small dams for electricity and irrigations during dry season 

By bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, Burundi can unlock its potential and pave the way for sustainable development.

The Ineffectiveness of Burundi's Diaspora in National Development

 The Ineffectiveness of Burundi's Diaspora in National Development

 Burundi's diaspora, possessing foreign capital, expertise, and networks, is supposed to play an important role in the country's development. However, their impact falls short of expectations. To understand this phenomenon, we must examine the circumstances surrounding their departure.

 Notice: I love to see many Burundians traveling abroad to acquire new experience to think out of the box. Even though there are some exceptions, allow me to generalize for the first time by saying “many”, “some”, or “the diaspora”, because I don't have numbers and references for now.

 Many Burundians fled due to wars and ideological persecution, leaving with feelings of hatred and a refugee mentality. This mindset hinders their ability to engage in peace and reconciliation, often leading to extremism. The diaspora's inclination to spread hatred and division among those who remained in Burundi is detrimental to national progress. It discourages the young people with hope and passion to change the country. 

While diaspora remittances are a temporary solution, they are not a sustainable development strategy if they stay with their characters. The diaspora lacks entrepreneurial drive, passion, and a long-term vision for change Burundi. Some they want to change political status quo but they don't want to change and update their mentality towards unity and reconciliation of Burundi. 

They fail to share innovative knowledge and stories of their lives with younger generations or invest in Burundian businesses. Unity among the diaspora is also a challenge, with divisions based on departure dates and reasons for leaving. Those who fled due to political persecution often struggle with mental health issues based on the last and bad memories before they left Burundi, perpetuating harmful ideologies. 

Solutions include: 

- Refraining from passing on harmful ideologies to the next generation especially your innocent kids.

 - Investing in Burundian innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses. That is the hope for Burundi 

- Avoiding the use of social media to spread division and negativity among young people.

 - Embracing a hopeful and passionate approach to development, like the countries they now call home.

Brief, Burundi diaspora has much potential and opportunities to contribute to the development of their root, Burundi, but they must leave the past and differences as creating a hope among young people. 

Wtten by Juste Picasso 

Mr. Juste Picasso Nduwayo is a Burundian entrepreneur and YALI alumni, Nairobi RLC. He has a degree in social sciences in the English Language and Literature at the University of Burundi, with ten years' experience in coffee. Mr. Nduwayo has experience in coffee farming, processing and exporting companies. It is his goal to develop both financially self-sufficient companies which will contribute to the quality of life for the coffee Farmers & communities especially young people. His hobby is reading books and writing on his personal blog. He advocates for an inclusive society. He likes adventures and agribusiness. Apart from coffee, he is being interested in Horticulture.   

Lack of Creativity and Invention in Burundi's Youth: A Societal Concern

 Lack of Creativity and Invention in Burundi's Youth: A Societal Concern

     
        Burundi, a country rich in resources and potential, is facing a crisis that threatens to hinder its progress: the lack of creativity and innovation among its youth. Our ancestors have ignorantly created a society where parents restrict their children's ability to develop their full potential. This was worsened by the poor education system where team are considered as paid labor to teach how to read and write and memorize notes only without focusing on addressing problems that are being faced by our society.

         If as per now Burundi is facing shortage of foreign currencies, our education system should be changed to focus much on how to address the issues not only teaching how to give back the memorized notes. Growing up, we were discouraged from engaging in discussions about societal problems with our parents. Parents were seeing to be always right, which is not the case. The fact of having a poor country that explains their failure.

         This lack of dialogue has resulted in a generation of adults who struggle to find solutions to Burundi's challenges. Parents often prevent children from acquiring new skills, hindering their ability to think critically and innovate. Kids are not allowed to be curious. Don't agreeing with a parent is always seen as undisciplined behavior. 

        Children are born with innate intelligence, but our society is failing to nurture it. Instead, we're raising a generation of adults who are unable to capitalize on Burundi's opportunities. We import most of our necessities, from clothing to technology, despite having the resources to produce them ourselves. 

To break this cycle, I urge parents to adopt a new approach:

•  Allow our children to make mistakes and learn from them. 
• Engage in meaningful discussions with your kids, exploring solutions and potential opportunities for Burundi.
•  Encourage and guide your children's decisions, rather than dismissing or discouraging them. 
• Spend quality time with your kids, fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, rather than spending your time in bars discussing politics you don't even understand and can't change and fake news your reading on social media.

 As parents you can't change the Society if you have failed to give a chance to your innocent and intelligent kids his ability to change the society. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of Burundi's youth and empower them to drive positive change in our country.

 Just Picasso Nduwayo

Written by Juste Picasso 

Mr. Juste Picasso Nduwayo is a Burundian entrepreneur and YALI alumni, Nairobi RLC. He has a degree in social sciences in the English Language and Literature at the University of Burundi, with ten years' experience in coffee. Mr. Nduwayo has experience in coffee farming, processing and exporting companies. It is his goal to develop both financially self-sufficient companies which will contribute to the quality of life for the coffee Farmers & communities especially young people. His hobby is reading books and writing on his personal blog. He advocates for an inclusive society. He likes adventures and agribusiness. Apart from coffee, he is being interested in Horticulture.