Gaga was born and raised in the political capital of Burundi, Gitega – often referred to as the very heart of Burundi.
Her schooling was most influenced by her time at Gitega International Academy (GIA), run by Youth for Christ, Burundi. At the time, she joined one of the early cohorts, just as the school quickly became one of the most respected educational establishments in the country.
In GIA, she encountered the teachings of Jesus in a way that challenged both her heart and her direction. Even before leaving Burundi to pursue a degree in Missouri, USA, she had a seed planted in her life that meant she knew it would be right to return and serve her country – even when friends and family would have loved to persuade her otherwise.
After four years stateside, she returned, full of life experiences and understanding that Burundi was a very different environment, not least because she had experienced some serious snow on her arrival in the US!
Gaga’s course was set – to be among a generation that would see Burundi’s struggles change into hope for the future. This dream would become a clear vision – to call the diaspora home. There are literally millions who have fled Burundi for a ‘better’ life elsewhere in the world – some have ended up in refugee camps and have been marginalised. Whereas others, with the means, have found stability in countries like Canada, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, etc. and they have set up comfortable lives in their new spaces. Yet Gaga knew that there would always be a part of them that looks back to home and all that it could be.
This vision became Muhira Connect. Muhira simply means ‘home’. So this journey is about calling those who will always feel the connection with Burundi to invest back in the nation they love. For some, it will be to provide support, and for others, it will find them feeling a call to return to their home nation. Either way – Gaga’s dream to facilitate this in-between space has come into fruition.
Gaga is also a part-time Relationships Consultant with GLO, so if you ever have the joy of visiting Burundi with a GLO Team, you will be in frequent contact with her. This role also assists in the coordination of many events and meetings across the other GLO Partners.
