Well, it’s been a week since I arrived and met African Program leader Marlon Zakeyo and IBJ Deputy Director Jean Amabile and officially began my internship working photojournalist for IBJ. I may lack a good amount of law-related vocabulary but I could still sense the excitement in the air as we began our first African training session yesterday.

Participants gathered at the top floor of the Amahoro Hotel in Bujumbura, a place well suited for IBJ’s mission complete with an amazing view of the city and mountains. They were impressed with the “unusual” format of the training which encouraged them to discuss their professional values and also to take part in a group discussion which shed light on how each profession sees differently within the Burundi law system.

Having seen such a small nation be so eager to embrace the IBJ message, I think the training (and future training) has potential to make a big impact on this central African country.