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 deep unrest only made it harder.
Amid the chaos, he discovered the foundations that would later shape his calling. “I was raised in a Christian family,” Jimmy shared. “My father was a pastor, and my mother a farmer.” Although he grew up going to church and Sunday school, Jimmy’s personal encounter with Christ happened in secondary school. “At first, I followed my parents’ faith. But when I was in seventh grade, something changed. I decided for myself, and that’s when I got baptised. My father came with me. As a pastor, he always encouraged us to genuinely follow Jesus, not just out of routine.”
Jimmy’s journey was deeply shaped by the influence of his parents, especially his father, who mentored and believed in Jimmy’s potential, despite the challenges he faced due to his hand impairments. His father encouraged him to dream big, to serve others, and to learn languages, so he wouldn’t be limited as he once was.
But when his father passed away, the burden of caring for the family fell heavily on Jimmy.
His mother, did all she could to provide. So Jimmy had to grow up fast. “I became the eldest son, responsible for a family of seven children. It was overwhelming, balancing school, helping my mum, and making sure my siblings continued their education.” It was a hard season, but it laid a foundation for the resilience that now drives his leadership.
A Passion to Make a Difference
From a young age, Jimmy felt compelled to help others. “I used to have dreams about starting an organisation to support people in need.” That dream took shape years later through Community Rise (formerly Tabitha Community in Action). An initiative focused on equipping the next generation and transforming communities.
“Our vision has always been about hope, inclusion, and empowerment,” Jimmy said. “We may not have built any schools or hospitals yet, but we’re sending orphans and vulnerable children to school. We support women recovering from trauma. And we offer practical help to people with disabilities. We’re making great steps forward!”
Like many grassroots movements, Community Rise has faced its share of obstacles. One of the biggest, Jimmy says, is the lack of experienced personnel. “We don’t just need money, we need the right people. Those who have the necessary skill set and believe in our vision. Sometimes we rely on volunteers with little experience because we can’t afford professionals yet,” he explained. Regardless, the organisation continues to develop, and is open to international volunteers as well as building the capacity of its own.
Community Rise’s compound serves as a base for both coordination and learning. “This place is more than an office,” Jimmy shared. “It’s a space where faith meets action. From here, we go out and influence our community.”
But the wide range of programmes extends far beyond the walls of its compound, reaching some of the most vulnerable groups in Burundian society. These include digital literacy and English lessons for young people, mentorship in business planning, youth talks on self-discovery, and hands-on training in sewing and agriculture.
Much of their work takes place in rural communities. A key tool for transformation is savings group programmes, where women are supported to start income-generating activities.
A commitment to inclusion runs deep in Jimmy’s work, especially in light of his personal story. People with disabilities are a key focus, ensuring no one is left behind.
Vision for the Future
Jimmy is very grateful for the journey so far, especially for the support of Great Lakes Outreach, which has believed in his vision since 2017 when it was still just a seed. It has grown from early encouragement by Simon Guillebaud and others, through to sponsoring events like Tabitha Day and backing education programmes. Their support has opened doors to new donors and international recognition.
Behind Jimmy’s steady rise has been the quiet strength of his wife, Colombe. The two met through Community Rise, where she joined as a volunteer. From day one, she stood by his side. When Jimmy left for 14 months of training in the US, Colombe held the family together and continued serving the organisation as a volunteer.
Today, Jimmy is still dreaming big! His vision includes building hospitals and schools to serve those the world too often forgets. And the mission is clearer than ever:
‘To restore dignity, bring hope, and empower the vulnerable.’
