These stories are a testament to God’s faithfulness and to the courage and strength of these leaders. Each of them now works in their respective organisations for the transformation of Burundi.
Charles Nkazamyampi is the founder and leader of the of Foundation Charles Nkazamyampi (FCN). He is a national hero because he won the silver medal in the 800m at the 1993 indoor World Championships in Toronto. Shortly before racing, he
Onesphore Manirakiza was born in the first week of the 1972 genocide. As his village was torched, the whole family fled. His Mother was still bleeding from giving birth, and she thought Onesphore was dead. She shouted to her husband
Bosco is a gifted young Burundian leader with big dreams and huge potential. His smile is genuine and his manner relaxed, but they belie what has happened to him in his life… It was 29th October 1993, a week after
Michel grew up in an affluent, well-respected family, but as the seventh of eleven children, he always felt invisible and undervalued. No matter how well-behaved and academically successful he was, Michel always felt unwanted and rejected by his father, which
From a young age, Ephraim has known God’s calling on his life. As a child he became very unwell. It was 1986, and he needed a prolonged stay in hospital. Fearing for Ephraim’s life, his father offered him back up
Celestin Kubwimana was born in the bush in Muramvya in a poor family. He reflects on a sad childhood, wondering why he had to suffer so much. At school, he used to ask his teachers what the purpose of life
Audry Masabo was born in Burundi during a full-blown political crisis, which meant that he spent most of his early years on the move throughout the Great Lakes region as a refugee. When he was 7-years-old, he remembers hiding under
Philemon Bigirimana grew up as the fifth child in a family of eleven children, in the modestly comfortable parts of Bujumbura. Life at home was filled with warmth and the daily reality of a large household. “It was a good
Born in the lakeside town of Kigwena in southern Burundi, John Irakoze, affectionately known as Murungwa, grew up surrounded by the beauty of Lake Tanganyika. His early years were shaped by the
Jimmy grew up in the hills of rural Bujumbura, a region scarred by years of conflict, poverty, and hardship. Life was difficult, and being born with a disability in a time of
In the densely populated slum of Buterere, Bujumbura, survival is a daily pursuit. It was here that Ezechiel Hatungimana, the second born of five children, grew up in the humblest conditions. But
Anastase grew up in a family in northern Burundi where faith played a complex role to begin with. His father, though not a churchgoer, insisted his children attend Sunday school regularly and
Isaiah was born into a Christian family but his world changed when his mother died whilst he was still an infant. His father’s new wife did not love him as a mother
Euphrate was born in 1968 to Christian parents. Sadly, the family’s situation changed drastically when his father was killed in the civil war of 1972 and their possessions and livelihood were stolen.These
Francois, one of six children, was born into a nominally Christian family, but he never attended church. He was just 14-years-old when civil war broke out in Burundi. He was living in
Donatien Nibogora is the Founder of RAJEDES. He was raised in a solid family in the capital, but his was only a nominal faith. From 2007, he joined GLO partner Harvest Initiatives
Safari Ruben was raised in a solid upcountry family. The nearest church was far away but his parents made him attend. It was the social centre of the community. Church was a
Innocent was born in 1989 into a military family in Bujumbura. At the age of seven, he was sent up country to live with his grandmother. At this time he had dreams of becoming
Rachel Muhorakeye is the National Director of Trans World Radio Burundi (TWR). She was raised in an Anglican family, but in her own words ‘didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus’. It
Martine came from a nominally religious background. Things began to change when her mother became a Christian. Shortly after, her father also felt God’s calling upon his life and he too became
Munezero (which means ‘joy’) Etienne was raised in a solid family. He was loved and nurtured by both parents, and came to faith in Christ through consistent exposure to the gospel in
Jean Baptiste’s family did not go to church. Despite that, he seems to have had an awareness of God’s calling and remembers at the age of six wanting to become a priest.
Gratien Nibigira is the founder of Restoration Burundi (Restobu). He was born in 1989. His father was killed in the war in 1993, and this led to a miserable childhood being raised
Francine had a happy childhood as the second of five children. She can remember that despite the happiness of her home, she was plagued by fear – fear of the dark, and
Donatien Ndagijima is the National Director of Harvest Initiatives. He was born in a poor rural family, the last of eleven children, and the only one to get a school education. He
It was Christmas day in 1993 when Dieudonné’s life changed completely. His father had recently been buried alive in a pit. His father was a respected judge, a community leader and a man of peace