Guillaume Harushima, Burundi
Kamenge Youth Center
Born on November 15, 1975
Alternative Nobel Prize 2002

Twelve years of civil war in Burundi have sown hatred between the ethnic groups in the country and have claimed over 300,000 lives. The Kamenge Youth Center (KYC) is situated in the capital city of Burundi, Bujumbura, in the part of town most affected by the war. The area is marked by alcoholism, drug misuse, prostitution, AIDS and unemployment. The KYC was founded in 1992, before the war; it offers young people between 16 and 30 years of age a place in which they can learn to live together in peace and with respect for each other. The goal is to support democratic ideals and to play a role in building up a strong civil society. The center offers young people the possibility for training that will improve their chances to get employment. There are classes in mathematics, languages, accounting, and physics, to mention just a few; there are computer courses and sewing courses, literacy projects and AIDS education, as well as social, cultural and sport activities. The KYC has about 50 full-time paid employees and 40 volunteer trainers and social workers. In 2010 about 35,000 young people took part in the activities of the center, about 23% of these girls.
 
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