WHO IS CHRISTINE NTAHE ?
Christine NTAHE, who has held the national presidency of the Burundi Red Cross since January 2022, was born in 1949 in Mukike in the province of Bujumbura. Journalist by profession, Mrs. Ntahe, throughout her career, with the help of her profession, has been involved in several charitable activities and social and community involvement. At the National Radio and Television where she worked for 30 years, Christine Ntahe gives a voice to children during her radio program “Tuganirizibibondo” (dialogue with children) for 20 years.
Christine Ntahe is the outstanding human rights activist in general with particular emphasis on the Children’s rights. Affectionately called “Maman Dimanche” translated « Mom Sunday » by a hundred of children she invites for food every Sunday, Christine NTAHE has already received several prestigious awards relating to her multiple commitments at the community level. These include, among others, the KENN ALLEN World Prize for Volunteer Leadership 2021 awarded to her by the International Association for Voluntary Effort (IAVE); the prize offered by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in 2019 in the « Women inspire and Innovate » competition. At that time, Mrs. Christine NTAHE represented the Burundi Red Cross and participated with thousands of Movement volunteers in the Fiaccolata march. The unique experience of repeating the same route as those who carried the wounded people during the battle of Solferino in 1859. The event was, for her, an opportunity to be received by the President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and to classify the works by NTAHE in the Museum of Solferino.
It should also be noted that in 2014 the then President of the Republic of Burundi awarded NTAHE a Certificate of the Order of Friendship of Peoples. In addition, Mrs. Christine NTAHE was crowned in the family of « Great Citizens of Peace », 2000 Edition before being nominated in 2005 one of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize » by the association « 1000 women of Peace in the World” based in Bern, Switzerland.
Christine NTAHE joined the Burundi Red Cross in 2009. The same year, she became president of her Red Cross neighborhood unit before becoming president of the municipal branch until January 4, 2022 when she became national president. of the Burundi Red Cross. This courageous woman has an ambition to advance the Burundi Red Cross through the network of volunteers. She started with the the municipality of Bujumbura, the branch to which she belongs where she mobilizes volunteers to pay the statutory contributions. She often visits the neighborhood units to ensure that they are running smoothly.
With the support of other volunteers, “Maman Dimanche” donated school materials to the urban commune of Mukaza to help schoolchildren who had not yet got any at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. It is worth pointing out her dedication to volunteering as she takes her time to help schoolchildren cross the road in order to avoid eventual road accidents. The now president of the Burundi Red Cross officially took office on Monday, January 24, 2022.
