Growing a future for my Burundi kids in Bujumbura!

Hello Again Friends and Family,

A lot has transpired in two years! I raised $30,000 and bought the kiddos a house in Bujumbura! It is shaped in a U and has three different living quarters. I hope you are following me on Instagram and saw my trip there with Lori. We were filled with love and they were moved. I am now faced with the task of raising money to do some much-needed remodeling and improvements. The kids get to "What's App" me more because there is WiFi access. John and have just sent more money to Pierre for the electricity and water hook-up. Overall I truly believe that they are in a much better spot. They have a family nearby that moved from Kayanza and was a close friend of Desire. Around the corner is Erica's mom and she said she would check in on them. And as a big bonus, there are two storefronts connected to the compound where they can sell goods. I am currently gathering and saving clothes in various sizes for them to sell in one store and hoping that the other store can be rented(just like the other two quarters).

Education is also on the list as Erica is searching for a public school that teaches in all English.

As you know, John and I have opened an ACE Hardware store so our funds are tight as I know it is all around. I am asking if you could donate any amount to my kids so that we can make this compound great for new renters as well as a safe place for them to live. We have a contractor and I will try to post the video of him talking about the whole plan he has for the space.

Saved from two years ago to see what we accomplished!!

Dear Friends and Family,

           This time of uncertainty is very rough on us here in the US. We worry about toilet paper and disinfectant. We worry about which mask to wear and can we get our groceries delivered. All valid concerns. Now imagine you live in a poor country with none of these worries. Instead the worry is can we get food today, if we get Covid is there any survival, and how do we avoid germs when we don’t have soap and water? Emmy’s siblings, my seven other children, live in this fear. They live in a small rural community(unlike any rural community we can imagine in our minds) with no running water. I have a plan to help them but I need your help too. My plan is to move them to the big city of Bujumbura. Bujumbura was the capital of Burundi until 2019. It is the business capital and has actual hospitals. Electricity and running water is common in every neighborhood. There are employment opportunities for Bernard and Lody as they support the five younger boys. The education system will teach only in English and move at a faster, more in depth pace than the private education we pay for now in Kayanza. Most importantly there is medical care if they should need it in Bujumbura. My attorney, Pierre Noël Nibigira, and I came up with the idea of buying the children a compound of small houses on a plot of land. Rental properties are very sought after in Bujumbura and the kids could rent out the houses they do not use for extra income. Lody could also get a nanny position and Bernard could continue his bike taxi service. Pierre is looking in a neighborhood we searched out the last time I was visiting the kids. It is full of these compounds and a lot closer to Pierre’s house so he and his wife Erica could see them more. Bernard is 23 and working so hard to provide for his siblings. Lody is 20 and playing Mom to six boys in a two room hut. Desire is 16 and can read English but can’t understand what he is reading. He is so proud of going to the school we send them to but can’t study at night after his chores because they have no electricity. Mozard is 15 and is so much like Emmy! He is super smart and I can see him playing a giant role in the future of Burundi if I could just get his education at a higher level. Celestine is the comedian and the entertainer of the family. Alexis is 12 and just wants to play “football”(soccer). He asked me in English for cleats the last time I was there. I of course, bought four pairs of cleats for the youngest boys and my heart burst at their smiles. Clovis is the baby at 10. He stayed far from me the first two visits. Then the last time I was there I won him over. He held on to me so hard when I was saying goodbye. They all said they love their “white MAMA”. These kids are so special in my heart and Emmy’s. She can’t wait to visit them when she is a teenager someday.

           Love, The USA Dunlaps

John, Lisbeth Anne, Calvin, Jonah, and Emmy

From left to right: Pierre my attorney who checks on the kids, Mozard hiding, Alexis, Lody, Celestine, Bernard waving, Clovis, and Desire. 

All funds will be used by me, Lisbeth Anne Dunlap to purchase a plot of land with multiple houses on it in Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa. I will be purchasing the plot because I consider these seven siblings, of my adopted daughter(Emelyne Grace Dunlap), as my own children. The money will be wired to Pierre Noel Nibigira who is my adoption attorney and friend in Bujumbura. He will purchase the site after approval from me, Lisbeth Anne Dunlap. It will be titled in the children's name.