Mariya Arafasha

A Schoenstatt social project in Burundi: to help the Christ that suffers today

Padres de Schoenstatt con „Niños de María” Schoenstatt Fathers with “Mary’s children“ Schönstatt-Patres mit “Marias Kindern”, ehemaligen Straßenkindern
El regalo de poder estudiar The gift of learning Es ist ein Geschenk, zur Schule gehen zu dürfen
Primera casa de los niños de la calle First home of the street children Erste Unterkunft der Straßenkinder
Jóvenes en su practico laboral Youth doing a practical training Jugendliche im Berufspraktikum
En construcción: la nueva casa „Maria Reina de la Paz“ Under construction: the new house “Mary Queen of Peace” Im Bau: das neue Haus “Maria, Königin des Friedens”  Fotos: Maria Ayuda, Schönstatt-Patres Schweiz © 2009

BURUNDI, Father Deogratias Marahukiro. Mariya Arafasha: No, this is not a Schoenstatt biography from Burundi. Maryia Arafasha is the Burundian name of a foundation meaning in English, Mary helps. The Church has always been close to the poor, and it has continued to be so throughout the centuries. The Church only follows the message of Him who identified with the poor and who said: "I was naked and you clothed me, I was hungry and you gave me to eat." (Matt.25:35-36) All the help that is given to the poor, no matter how small, is help given to this Christ who suffers today.

The situation of poverty Burundi suffers from is well known. It is a country that is classified among the five poorest on the planet. It is a country overcoming with difficulty a civil war, and it is also a country, it’s necessary to say, in which the political class is corroded by corruption and many kinds of conflicts. Today Burundi needs to be rebuilt in the spiritual sphere as well as the moral, social, and economic spheres. The Church tries to do its best, but it needs help. In Schoenstatt a social work has begun entitled, Mariya Arafasha Foundation or Mary Helps. It is a work of the Blessed Mother. She wants to help Christ who is suffering today. This work of Mary is helping street children who have now adopted another name, they are Mary’s children. They are helped to regain their dignity as persons. At the same time, beggars who live on the streets as a result of the lack of resources are also helped. There is another project that takes care of orphaned children who cannot continue their studies except by paying them a stipend. Today it is a great joy to see these ex-street children. It is impressive to see their joy and how they have truly begun a new life. There is a great difference between what they were last year and what they are now. The majority of them go to school and the older ones learn a trade. Some of them have recently made their First Communion, and the rest are preparing for Baptism. These children are beginning a better future; they begin to believe that it’s possible to be like others, to study, and work like others. If only you knew how much joy your help gives; you would also be filled with joy.

"Queen of Peace" Center

In 2006, the foundation, Mariya Arafasha, was established with hope and with many activities. The construction of th e Queen of Peace Center has meanwhile begun. At first this center will shelter an orphanage (boarders) for "Mary’s children" (ex- street children) and for other orphans who will be welcomed there. If there are sufficient funds this center will help about 100 children and youth. It is also planned, to build a technical school so these children and other youth can learn a trade. Furthermore, the technical training will create a source of employment in a country in which joblessness and poverty have reached a high degree. Later if God allows it, other public works will be built for the purpose of promoting education for everyone and as a contribution for the consolidation of peace.

Mariya Arafasha is supported by Maria Ayuda, Chile.