WTU - Burundi style

Currently, I work for the Warrior Transition Unit with the U.S. Army in Germany. That's actually a big reason that I was asked on this trip - my job right now is to coordinate an adapted sports program for the injured Soldiers that I work with so that they have some form of physical activity that they can do within the physical limitations that they have. The Burundian military has the same idea for their Soldiers. They also want us to help them build and maintain a chicken coupe so that the Soldiers have some sustainability as far as food goes.

So, today we went to the military compound where the Soldiers live.

The main gate to the compound

COL Leonard, Commander

Keep in mind, unlike the American Soldiers who go to the WTU in order to either transition out of the Army or to return to duty but in a different capacity (MOS), the Burundi Soldiers are technically veterans and have been retired out of the military. The military provides them free room and board and meals, so they stay. They do not get any sort of retirement benefits or extra money for their injuries. There is currently no conflict going on in Burundi and hasn't been since the mass genocides here and in Rwanda, the neighboring country, ended in 2005. That's how long the Soldiers have lived in these barracks, since 2005.

COL Isaac, Commander. I don't know the story of his injuries, but
he has served his country for over 20 years.

Essentially, there are four purposes for the location where the Soldiers live. One part of the compound is used for military education, one is used to house the injured vets, a large section is used for vehicle maintenance and repair, and the fourth reason is something that escapes me right now. The size of the area where all of this happens is roughly (in my horrible ability to estimate space) 500 meters squared. We were able to walk around the entire compound in a matter of 30 minutes at a leisurely pace and with stops.

Part of the motor pool area

We were able to see where the Soldiers are living and in what conditions. It's hard to imagine that this is all that the country has for those that have fought and lost so much in such a horrible conflict. It's heart wrenching to see such conditions and know that most of these men will never leave. There is even one who has managed to start a few businesses on his own, but because of the fact that he is provided shelter and food, more than he would be guaranteed if he left, he continues to live on the compound. Many of these Soldiers require regular medical care and physical therapy, but if they move away, they are not given the privilege of access to it anymore, which is another reason for staying.

Kitchen where all the food is cooked for the compound

A double room for the injured Soldiers.
Soldiers with more severe physical issues
stay two to a room like this.

In between the barracks buildings

Those with less debilitating handicaps (blindness, amputations, etc.) live in a room like this with multiple Soldiers.

I'm actually barely sitting on the bed, which is
lined up with the wall. That's how small
the rooms are for two Soldiers.

Some of the injured Soldiers from the compound
that we met with

We were able to sit down and talk with the Soldiers a little while, hearing some of their stories and concerns. We did learn that there are actually many of them already playing goal ball (a sport for blind athletes) and sitting volleyball. Originally, we thought that we were going to need to figure out how to start up a program here, but it turns out that their needs are more along the lines of equipment (uniforms, balls, wheelchairs to start wheelchair basketball...) . In fact, COL Isaac told us that there is a big match tomorrow morning, so we will be going to watch the game and see the facilities. I'm really excited to be able to expose those that I came with to a new sport and how awesome adaptive sports can be!

After meeting with the Soldiers and seeing the chicken coupe that they have on the compound, we looked at three other chicken farms in the area to get some ideas. That's the only time that I've ever been on a real chicken farm...quite the experience.

Chicken farm living

We were supposed to go to see the hospital where the Soldiers receive care, as well as have dinner with the Chaplain General, but those activities were postponed until tomorrow. Instead, we went to a different hotel with some of our Burundi leaders, ate pizza (which didn't quite compare to Italy, but wasn't bad), and had a deep discussion about the perspectives of suffering between people in 1st and 3rd world countries. Tomorrow we have another full day, and I'm looking forward to it. My mind continues to open and my heart continues to change as we are here, and I am so grateful for this experience. God bless!