She is one of the 1000 women proposed fort the Nobel Peace Price 2005.
She says: “In view of all the suffering, I prayed that the Lord would make me a artisan of peace and reconciliation”.
Sr Godelive Miburo – Burundi.
She works for New Life for Reconciliation VNR.
Sister Godelive Miburo runs two centers for orphans and follows up their integration into foster families.
New Life for Reconciliation (VNR) trains on reconciliation and peace, awakening and reinforcing forgiveness and helps the weak, the rejected, battered women and widows through diverse projects. She helps war and Aids orphans to attend school and universities in the country. Her work also targets prisoners. All target groups are taught communication, non-violence and peaceful co-existence between ethnic groups.Sr. Godelive Miburo said: “In view of all the suffering, I prayed that the Lord would make me a artisan of peace and reconciliation”. Born in 1958 to rural family, this Burundian Catholic nun followed her catechism studies in various institutes in Abidjan and Fribourg, Switzerland. She has trained in non-violent communication. She worked as primary school teacher and an animator in a parish/pastoral center, before becoming the assistant in the Bishop’s office in Bujumbura and Gitega.
In 1997 Sr. Godelive began apostolic work with, “New Life for Reconciliation, (Vie Nouvelle pour la Reconciliation, VNR)” that was founded by the country’s Bishop. VNR has three branches: a laic group called FSAAR–Fraternity St. Augustine Apostles of Reconciliation; a Congregation of Men called PMR–Missionary fathers of Reconciliation; and a Women’s branch called SMMMR–Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of Reconciliation.
Sr. Godelive is an elder in women’s branch. All three branches of VRN have over 30 members who are from all walks of life in the community. They form an ecclesiastic movement that welcomes any person without distinction of race, culture, sex, or religion who wishes to work for reconciliation. With the support of VNR, Sr. Godelive opened two centers in Gitega and Makebuko for war and Aids orphans and follows-up their integration into foster families. She works all around the country, having covered five provinces and in eight years. She is uses various methods to achieve sustainable development.
Even though she receives external support, she still struggles to meet the centers’ financial needs. She spent much to build a security wall because her life and the children’s lives were threatened with ransom demands. When financial resources improve she plans to enlarge existing buildings and open four more centres. She has to pay school fees, feed the children and meet their medical bills. A tailoring workshop helps to supplement donations. The organization also trains on reconciliation and peace, awakening and reinforcing forgiveness in the community. It helps the weak, particularly rejected, battered women or widows who are rehabilitated and integrated the reconstruction process. They participate in diverse income generating projects such as cattle rearing and growing cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, beans and potatoes. All crops are consumed at the homes. She works all around the country, having covered five provinces and in eight years. She is uses various methods to achieve sustainable development. Sr. Godelive opened a novitiate in 2003 to train future workers of the Apostolate. Girls who have been assisted run a nursery school. Her work also targets prisoners whom she visits. All are taught communication and non-violence co-existence between ethnic groups. As a result of the work 3000 children, war and AIDS orphans, are taken care of and sent to school and universities in the country.
Her work also targets prisoners whom she visits. All groups she is involved with are taught communication and non-violence and peaceful co-existence between ethnic groups. Sr. Godelive Miburo’s work serves as a model to young people and families, who are now interested in reconciliation and rehabilitation of those who cannot help themselves. She participates in international congresses on reconciliation and healing trauma, where she shares her experiences and challenges. Through her activities, human rights are protected, particularly those of women and children and orphans. The intellectuals and students are being educated on values of non-violence thus consolidating reconciliation. (See all this on 1000peacewomen).
Soeur Godelive Miburo, Burundi war Gastreferentin als ‘Stimme sein für die Sprachlosen’: Bevor Soeur Godelive dem Versöhnungswerk VNR beitrat, absolvierte sie eine Ausbildung in Sozialarbeit und Studien zur Katechetin in verschiedenen afrikanischen Ländern. Von 1995-1997 besuchte sie die « Ecole de Foie » in Freiburg CH, sowie Seminare von Marshall Rosenberg zum Thema « Gewaltfreie Kommunikation ». Nach ihrer Rückkehr wirkte sie in der Jugend- und Erwachsenenbildung. Von 1994-95 war Godelive Miburo die Sekretärin von Bischof Simon in Bujumbura. Nach der Wahl zum Erzbischof folgte sie ihm 1997 nach Gitega. Seit der Gründung des Sozialwerkes « Vie Nouvelle pour la Réconciliation » (VNR) 1997 engagiert sich Soeur Godelive für die Ärmsten der Armen. Sie setzt sich ein für die Rechte der Kriegs- und Aidswaisen, den Schulbesuch der Kinder, für Witwen, die Integration geschlagener und ausgestoßener Frauen, und Gefangenenbesuche. 1997 kaufte das VNR ein leerstehendes Lagerhaus, welches zum Aufnahmezentrum für Waisenkinder umfunktioniert wurde. Unter der Leitung von Godelive entstand das Pflegeheim KEZAKIMANA Gitega und 2003 KEZAKIMANA Makebuko. Die Schar der in Pflegefamilien und bei Witwen untergebrachten Kinder ist inzwischen auf über 3`000 angewachsen. Diese mittellosen Pflegefamilien werden begleitet und finanziell unterstützt. Godelive Miburo, die einstige Bauerstochter, unterrichtet die jungen Leute und Witwen in Ackerbau und Landwirtschaft. Ihr Ziel ist die Selbstversorgung, wozu Milchkühe gehalten werden. (Siehe global balance.org).
See also this text: Global Reconciliation;
Newsetter of Foundation for subjective experience and research.