Last year Pastor Kandora Jean tragically lost his wife. But this year he’s helping hundreds of people across Bujumbura Province find healing from their own wounds.

Kandora has a lot on his plate. He’s a leader at Peace Church, heads up an association of pastors from different churches, and is father to eight children. Around Bujumbura Province, he’s known as a man of faith and someone people can really trust.

Last year, he was one of more than 30 pastors and church leaders trained in trauma healing by our partner Preaching Ministry Burundi. In a country where so many people carry the weight of conflict, loss and hardship, the training equips church leaders to walk with congregations and parishioners through their pain.

This is more radical than it sounds. Conversations around trauma and mental health are taboo in Burundi, and the effect of this corporate silence can be devastating. Preaching Ministry Burundi uses the innovative methodology developed by another GLO leader, Dr Michel Nsabiyumva.

Kandora faced his own heartbreak when his wife died. Grief gave everything he’d learned a new weight. He now understood, from the inside, how much it matters to have someone alongside you when you’re hurting.

When the Preaching Ministry team visited him this year to follow up, they found that, rather than withdrawing into grief, he had turned it into a force for good. As well as supporting his own community, he had been training other church leaders and walking with people through their own healing!

And it didn’t stop at the church door. When the Governor of Bujumbura Province opened the way, Kandora helped train leaders from all 11 districts in the province. This training supported local officials who settle disputes and help neighbours reconcile. It’s hard to think of anyone better placed to carry trauma healing into everyday life.

The results speak for themselves. More than 500 people have been reached so far, and over 80 of these are now offering the same kind of support in their own communities. The Governor has even presented Kandora with a certificate of appreciation for the work he has been doing.

This is exactly what the trauma healing programme was designed to do. The impact of one person equipped multiplies, as pastors, church leaders and community members pass on what they’ve learned. Churches become places of healing, families grow stronger, and communities that have known division find their way towards peace.

Pray with us:

• That God will keep strengthening the Preaching Ministry’s Trauma Healing programme and open doors to more churches and communities across Burundi. 
• For the resources to train more counselors, so that many more people find much needed support and healing, and go on to become peacemakers in their own communities.

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… and having no way of knowing whether you’ve been paid properly. For many adults in rural Burundi, that’s everyday life. But in Kirundo, things are starting to change.

Only 1 in 3 children in Burundi complete lower secondary school. And many never make it that far, particularly in Burundi’s rural communities, where a lot of adults never have the chance to learn to read and write. Usually it is due to poverty in the family.

The implications of illiteracy lasts a lifetime. It holds people back financially; it carries real shame, and for many Christians it can be a barrier to growing in their faith too.

Kirundo sits in the north of the country, on the border with Rwanda. Here, Restoration Burundi runs an adult literacy programme that teaches people to read and write. Recently, the learners sat their reading and writing tests and passed with flying colours. Afterwards, they shared why they’d taken the opportunity to learn.

Emelyne, 30, is a mother of three, and for years, not being able to read or count money properly cost Emelyne dearly. “You sell beans or maize, and the trader uses a calculator, weighs the kilos and hands you the money, but you can’t check the amount,” she says. “When you get home, you find you’ve been cheated.”

This isn’t fair! And it reached beyond her purse. Emelyne is a Christian, and she’s sometimes asked to lead services at church. “Not being able to read was a big challenge,” she says. But not any more! “Now I can read well,” she says. “God bless you for coming to teach us how to read and write.”

Denise grew up in a poor family. Although she enrolled in school, she dropped out soon after because of frequent illness and the lack of access to healthcare.

“When my husband started dating me, my friends had to read all the messages he sent me. When I asked them to reply, they sent back the wrong messages and mocked me.” Today, she says the literacy program has transformed her life.

“It has started removing some barriers, especially talking to my husband. Now I personally can text him.”

Learning to read as an adult takes courage. It means sitting in a classroom years after everyone expected you to, and admitting what you couldn’t do. The learners in Kirundo chose to do it anyway.

Their new skill ripples across every dimension of life. When a woman who used to be illiterate can check what she’s paid, read Scripture for herself and stand up in church with confidence – it also inspires others. It gradually changes the status quo, and gives momentum to a movement of education which could change the direction of a nation.

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Homes of Hope is run by Youth for Christ Burundi (YFC), and it gave Divine something she hadn’t had in a long time: a family. She found real friendships and a community that stood with her in every situation. She was safe, healthy, and grew up knowing she was loved by God.

She also got a good education, and she made the most of it. Year after year, through school and on into university, Divine kept working hard and achieving each step of the way.

Now she holds a degree in architecture and engineering. That would be a big achievement anywhere in the world, but in Burundi it’s rarer still, because very few girls go into this field at all.

Divine is one of the first girls to come all the way through Youth for Christ Burundi’s care, from Homes of Hope, through school and on to graduation as a young adult. For the YFC team, it’s a precious moment they’ve worked and prayed towards for years. Her success has brought them huge joy, and they’re rightly proud of everything she’s achieved.

Divine’s progress gives us an insight into all that can be gained when a child is given safety, love and a good education… and then the space to run with them! All credit to Divine’s determination to succeed against the odds and get this prestigious degree.

The future she could not see at the start of her journey is now hers to build on, and we applaud her!

Youth for Christ Burundi gives thanks to God for Divine’s journey, and to every supporter who has been part of it along the way. This is the way of costly discipleship, walking with people through the ups and downs of life, and loving them for the long haul.

_____

Your support enables long-term investment in people like Divine.

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APRID does something few would attempt. It brings Muslims and Christians together in public, in front of mixed crowds, to talk openly about faith. These dialogues sit at the heart of its work, and in Rutana back in March, one of these gatherings truly changed lives with approximately fifty people accepting Jesus as their Saviour.

Leaving Islam, can be extremely costly. The faith runs through family, community and identity. Choosing Christ can mean losing the support of the people closest to you, and in Burundi new believers from a Muslim background can face severe persecution, requiring support.

That’s why APRID’s work makes such a difference. They don’t leave new believers to work it out alone. Together with the local Moriah Temple Burundi church, the team walked with them through the months that followed, helping them grow in their newfound faith in Jesus.

Baptism is a public declaration. Each person who went into the water was telling their community, and their own families, that they now belong to Jesus. They knew what it might cost them, and they chose it anyway. That takes real courage, and it also speaks clearly of a sense of freedom they’ve found.

The journey we have described does not end in water. APRID and Moriah Temple Burundi will keep nurturing these new believers as they grow and guide them in the vital walk as disciples.

Will you pray?

Please pray for the 15 who were baptised, for strength and courage as they live out their faith among their families and communities. And for the many others from that day in Rutana who are still taking their first steps with Jesus.

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When Abel arrived at university, he didn’t know anyone, and his low self-confidence led him to believe that nobody would want to know him. But today he leads a Bible study of 40 students!

Abel grew up in the north of Burundi, leaving home in 2023 for the University of Burundi’s Mutanga campus in Bujumbura. Starting life somewhere new is hard for any first-year student. For Abel, it was harder still, as he battled deep feelings of inferiority. These emotions made it almost impossible to make friends. Day after day he studied alone, unseen and unsure where he fit in.

His faith was on shaky ground. Abel called himself a Christian, but he had grown into the belief that he had to earn his salvation, and he was more afraid of God than secure in His grace. The Bible frustrated him: when he read it, the words felt distant and hard to understand. His faith, was one of fear and uncertainty rather than joy and assurance, but with nobody to turn to, he was isolated.

An unexpected welcome.

Then someone invited him to a Bible study run by Union des Groupes Bibliques (UGBB – the equivalent of IFES), a student-led Christian fellowship on campus. He found genuine love in the room. The students welcomed him as a brother. They checked in on him, encouraged him with his studies and made room for him. Little by little, Abel started to come out of his shell.

During the studies, he truly met Jesus for himself. As the group worked through the Book of Acts, his concept of God was turned upside down. He discovered that salvation is a free gift of grace, received through faith in Christ, and that he never had to earn it. The Bible that once frustrated him became a daily source of joy.

Passing the good news on

The change in Abel’s heart soon showed in how he lived. The young man who used to walk alone started building strong friendships with other Christians. He learned the blessing of giving love as well as receiving it.

Today he leads a Bible study group of 40 students within the fellowship that changed his life. Each week he does for new students what others once did for him: welcoming them in, opening Scripture with them and pointing them to Christ. Around him is a circle of brothers and sisters who back each other up, in faith and in their studies.

A degree will be a great thing to come away with, for sure. But better still are the friendships he’s formed and a passion for Jesus that will last a lifetime.

UGBB have a strategic role to play in making disciples on university campuses accross Burundi, seeking to instil integrity, righteousness and Gospel hope in the future leaders of the nation.

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For our teams on the ground, what is even more valuable than monetary support is the knowledge that brothers and sisters like you are thinking of and praying for them. On a global level, Burundi is right at the bottom of the pile, but it is not forgotten by God, nor by you!

Please continue to hold us in prayer as our partners serve faithfully in the face of relentless challenges – lack of fuel, rising food prices, skyrocketing rental costs. Life in Burundi is tougher than ever, but this campaign plugs a vital gap, ensuring education will continue for thousands of children this year.

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Nadine had been suffering from fits, vomiting and rashes for two months. Medical tests and treatments were inconclusive. When the evangelists started praying in the name of Jesus, Nadine started to scream, shout and fight. Recognising the spiritual battle before them, they prayed until the demons left and she became calm. Returning the following day, they found Nadine back to normal, with the rashes gone and her appetite returned. Nadine’s Mum surrendered her life to Jesus as a result!

Joachim was preparing to take his own life when there was a knock at the door. He had lived with horrendous stomach pains for years, and just couldn’t take it anymore. When the young men at his door said they felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to come to his house to offer comfort, Joachim broke down in tears. They prayed with him, and gradually his pain subsided. Joachim grinned: “I feel like a new person!” He has since got stuck in with his local church.

Solène* had started selling her body for sex to earn extra money when she was only 15 years old, and because it made her good money, she dropped out of school. Now aged 32, she was the leader of the prostitutes operating in her town. When the evangelists shared the Gospel with her, under deep conviction she blurted out, “God, I’m a sinner. Save me from my sins and from death!” She committed her life to Christ at her local church, which is helping her set up a vegetable business as a healthier revenue stream!

Asmali was walking home from the mosque when he met two young evangelists who engaged him in conversation. It quickly turned into a debate about their different faiths. Asmali was interested, and agreed to visit the church later that week, but actually showed up the following morning, saying, “From the time we parted, the Spirit convicted me. I couldn’t sleep all night.” He gave his life to Christ there and then!

Rosine had stopped going to church a decade ago and fell into alcoholism. She was on her way to her regular bar when she noticed a film screening in the street – it was the Jesus film. Intrigued, she watched it, and was moved to tears, recommitting herself to Christ. That night, 70 people made the same commitment. The church that ran the screening has tripled its congregation to 300 members since they got involved with the Harvest campaign!

Celine’s family feared she had been poisoned (sadly this is a common means of revenge in Burundi). Medication made no difference. She couldn’t keep food or water down and was slipping out of consciousness. Her husband, Ezekiel, carried her to the church in desperation. She was prayed for by a dozen people, but they told Ezekiel that he needed to burn the witchcraft charms they had to get a breakthrough. In desperation, he did it, which was followed by a power encounter with the Spirit of God. He gave his life to Jeus, and saw Celine’s health improve over the following days. The following Sunday, they walked into church together to testify to God’s power and faithfulness.

85-year-old Annesie was a traditional healer who was so physically decrepit she couldn’t leave her house. When the evangelists visited her, she quickly accepted Christ and burned her charms. “I’ve never felt a love like this. I never thought I deserved to be loved,” she testified.

On a strategic level, a huge encouragement is that 27 different denominations were working together. Relationships between denominations are often strained in Burundi, so this level of unity is significant. Many GLO Partners operate cross-denominational events and initiatives in order to maximise impact, build bridges and heal past wounds.

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We had the privilege to meet the leaders of the 29 GLO Partners, hear their personal stories and pray for them and their teams. Words like integrity, selfless, joy, impressive and ‘all out for Jesus’ came to mind. Almost all had experienced incredible suffering, yet all testified that through their faith they had been able to forgive and live in peace. They work tirelessly to bring transformation to Burundi, often at great personal cost. From what we saw, GLO’s vision is absolutely being fulfilled!

What struck me most throughout the trip was how holistic the work is. The message and the love of Jesus are always central, but often the first step is meeting practical and emotional needs through a wide variety of initiatives. An unforgettable moment was joining a gospel rally in the bush organised by UCCD. I never dance, but surrounded by local families, I couldn’t help but join in as we worshipped together, prayed for
people, and watched many respond to the gospel.

Another highlight was a sports outreach with Charles Nkazamyampi, Burundi’s World Championship medallist. A 5k run and a football match gathered young people to promote peace, distribute practical gifts such as goats and school materials, and hear the gospel. My husband was delighted to be the first non-Burundian across the finish line, though he was beaten by a young girl running in heeled shoes!

Perhaps the most moving visit was to a community transformed through Foundations for Farming. They previously lived in extreme poverty without hope. Today, through simple but effective farming methods and a renewed faith in God, families grow enough maize to feed themselves on a fraction of the land previously used. Standing in the towering corn we saw not only practical transformation, but restored dignity, and a renewed belief that God has not forgotten them

Overall, I felt such hope for Burundi, something I had not felt in 1998. It motivated me to continue sharing the work of GLO with our church and community and raising more funds for this amazing work God is doing!

Beyond that, the trip left me with a question:

What does this mean for how we should live, here in the UK?

I’ll leave you with the words of one leader:

“For me, life means doing what God has called me to…
I care more about walking with Jesus than about the mission.”

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This perception has consequences. Access to education, employment, and normal community life remains limited for many people with disabilities. Social stigma often isolates them long before physical barriers do. Jimmy was born with malformed fingers, in a rural village to farming parents. Despite the prejudice against their son, they chose to raise him no differently from his siblings. Jimmy was obliged to study and work, just like everyone else, which instilled resilience in him.

Jimmy established Community Rise to facilitate a movement that empowers many, particularly those with disabilities. Along the way, he has met others who carry similar strength.

One of them is Bernadette. At just two years old, Bernadette lost both her mother and her leg during the violence of Burundi’s civil war. She grew up navigating physical challenges, trying not to draw attention to herself. But over time, she chose visibility over hiding, rising to the challenge of sport, then leadership. Today she is an champion for women and girls with disabilities who are too often ignored and works alongside Jimmy at Community Rise.

Each year, they host Camp Possible to inspire women who have had amputations. The weekend offers trauma healing sessions, entrepreneurship workshops and sport. It gives attendees a chance to connect with others with similar experiences. A highlight was the amputee football match, with one player recalling,

“I was happy to see others like me playing football; I realised I could do the same!”

Delegates left with gifts of sporting equipment to continue their passions back at home. Through Community Rise, over 2,000 women and youth have trained in sewing and vocational skills. But Jimmy’s vision looks beyond individuals. He is actively engaging policymakers, government officials, and university leaders to advocate for inclusive systems in higher education. His goal is to create an environment that welcomes students with disabilities.

Therance has fought throughout his life to gain access to education. Now a Master’s student living with a disability, he chose to join Community Rise to represent students with disabilities who, like him, continue to face numerous barriers and challenges in pursuing education due to the lack of accessible learning environments. For Therance, true inclusion means an environment where all students are given equal opportunities to fully participate in both academic and social life.

Jimmy and his team continue to break barriers, forging a path for people with disabilities to dream higher than the limits society places on them. In so doing, they are quietly reshaping what it means to be seen: not as ikimuga, but as umuntu: fully human, with dignity and a voice.

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Charles Nkazamyampi Foundation (FCN) runs regular sports outreaches and events across Burundi. Young people always engage with great passion and excitement. Even in the summer heat of Burundi, they show high commitment, with some racing in footwear most of us would only associate with a trip to the beach!

As the community gathered at the end of the race, they were challenged to learn from the race they had just particpated in together. Could they ‘run together’ in everyday life, in the way that was done so passionately in the competition?

All too frequently, where Burundi has seen past conflicts, deep-seated roots of bitterness, fear and unforgiveness can rise up. The solution is meaningful resolution to confront the issue head-on, rather than burying it. The way that Charles Nkazamyampi and his team have skilfully navigated this sensitive area – which touches on so much trauma – through the medium of sports is a triumph of God’s grace across the nation.

After hearing the message, 100 of the race participants signed peace commitment cards, affirming their desire to leave conflict behind and work together for a peaceful future in Burundi. In addition, four community groups were established to help continue the good work that had begun that day and eliminate further conflict where they live.

Etienne won the race, but his biggest takeaway wasn’t the medal. He said, “This commitment will help us advise those who stir up conflicts while serving as role models through honesty, integrity and good character.”

Charles Nkazamyampi’s reputation as a national sporting hero on the athletics track gives a meaningful credibility to the Gospel message that he brings and the call for peace that flows from his heart for the Kingdom.

It is so encouraging to see various sporting events becoming a way of building stronger, more peaceful communities in many parts of the nation.

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