Our Stories from Burundi

Would you like to receive stories by email?

Small Investment – Huge Impact!

Emelyne is 34 years old and a mother of three. Life became unbearable when her husband abandoned her and the children. As a small vegetable street vendor, she struggled to put food on

Read the article...

The Card That Saved Mayoya’s Life

Over the past two decades, life expectancy in Burundi has improved significantly. One of the powerful reasons is access to health insurance cards known as (CAM, Carte d’assurance Maladie). The cost is just £4 for an entire year. Yet for many vulnerable families, even £4 feels impossible. For Mayoya,... Read the article...

Transformed: Jimmy Ndihokubwayo

The Transformed podcast/videos are a new format from GLO to help us go deeper with our amazing, Inspirational Leaders. In this video, you’ll find out about Jimmy’s background and how his journey grew with GLO to where, now, he is one of the leaders who has international influence for... Read the article...

Ride of a Lifetime!

There are some moments in life that are defining – a new job, the birth of a child, maybe a wedding day… and then there are those unexpected events that come along that change the way you see the world. And Bike for Burundi is one of those! This... Read the article...

A Chance to Run

Three-year-old Charmant is the tenth of eleven children. The weight of caring for the family fell entirely on his mother after his father left the country in search of work. Before he even turned two, malnutrition and lack of proper care caused little Charmant to fall sick. What began... Read the article...

Nationwide GLS Impact

The Global Leadership Summit (GLS), hosted by GLO partner UCCD, has become a hugely impactful resource to people in all kinds of leadership roles across Burundi. The inspiration for these events began through Willow Creek Church in the US, but the way that Isaiah Nshimirimana and his team have... Read the article...

250 Receive Jesus as Lord!

What an extraordinary outpouring of God’s grace in Ecofo Bwiza, Butanyerera province! During a recent outreach, one of GLO’s inspirational leaders, Charles Nkazamyampi (founder of FCN), gathered students near their school for a time of joyful encouragement and physical exercise, something he is known and loved for. Why? He... Read the article...

Super Supporter – Anne

Anne’s connection with Great Lakes Outreach began long before she ever set foot in Burundi. Years ago, during a sermon on mission, her vicar quoted Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” When the invitation was given, Anne stepped forward and simply said,... Read the article...

No longer looked down upon…

Just over a year ago we shared the remarkable story of Clementine – an amazing woman who has overcome decades of adversity, disability, and abuse. You responded with an outpouring of generosity, thanks to which, one year on… It’s also been beautiful to see her flourish, and she has become a... Read the article...

An Inspiring Young Leader

GLO has known Thacien since he was taken into the care of Youth For Christ (YFC), Burundi, at the tender age of 7 years old. He grew up in Homes of Hope, and has shown himself to be a young man of great character and integrity – right up... Read the article...

New Generation Hope

From Hopelessness to Hope: Alan Clinton Billy’s Journey with New Generation At just 20, Alan Clinton Billy speaks with the wisdom beyond his years. He has weathered many storms in life but now and can now see a brighter future. His story has been shaped by his 12-year journey with GLO’s partner New Generation, dedicated to... Read the article...

Daily Guide Impact

For decades, Scripture Union Burundi has provided daily Bible reading notes for the nation. In homes across the country, family often gather together to read the daily verse and reflection as a cornerstone of their Spiritual lives. In recent years, demand has increased, with more and more peopel wanting... Read the article...

Burundi… and beyond!

One of our strap-lines at GLO is, ‘Burundi and Beyond’, and this was very much a weekend of the ‘Beyond!’ Earlier this summer, a group of intrepid cyclists undertook an epic 7-day journey around Burundi. They cycled 100km per day, and covered 38,000ft of elevation throughout the week. Unsurprisingly,... Read the article...

Astounding Stories from a Stunning Campaign!

This summer marked the 20th anniversary of our huge evangelistic campaign with Harvest Initiatives, and it was the biggest yet! Over the years, we’ve typically sent out around 800 evangelists for two weeks of bold gospel witness across Burundi. But this summer, we commissioned an incredible 3,400 evangelists – and the... Read the article...

A 28-Year Dream Coming to Fruition…

GLO exists to empower and equip the best Burundian leaders. They are the ones who will bring transformation to a nation desperately in need of investment, support, and prayer. But a nation is not only meant to be on the receiving end, and Burundi has so much to offer... Read the article...

219,000 and we’re not done yet!

Back in 2005, a rag-tag group of 47 passionate Burundian believers from 4 churches set out to share the Gospel with as many people as they could in a 2-week period – 1200 came to faith! But we had no idea that it would spark a movement that, 20... Read the article...

A Voice for the Voiceless

Pacifique moved to the city to make a better life for himself. He worked hard as a cleaner in an affluent neighbourhood and had high hopes for the future, until his life was turned upside down. “It was a rainy night. At around 2 am, I was awakened by... Read the article...

More Precious than Gold!

Your household may have a Bible in it, perhaps several! But Josine’s home had none, and her heart longed for one of her own. “I felt so bad on Sundays at church when we were asked to open our Bibles. Others would open theirs, but I couldn’t. I went... Read the article...

Bound but Not Broken

Irène* slipped out of her home, onto the bustling streets of Nyanza Lac. We’re not sure what happened next. Did the teenager get into a waiting car? Did she board a bus? A boat? Whatever it was, Irène didn’t return home that night. It wasn’t the first time Irène... Read the article...

A Coffee with PJ and Chad…

GLO US is growing! We are in an exciting season of taking on new team members – PJ Smyth, serving as US Executive Director and Chad Norris as US Director of Strategic Partnerships. We sat down and got some quick-fire info on them, and what’s exciting them as they... Read the article...

Impact on the Airwaves

Broadcaster Heritage TV pumps out great Kingdom material. A popular show is their nightly prayer programme. They receive lots of messages from listeners whose lives have been impacted by tuning in… Jean Marie had terrible, recurring nightmares which eventually affected her daily life. She discovered that they stopped when... Read the article...

A Fertile Foundation

Burundi is a young country – children under the age of 15 are estimated to represent a staggering 45% of thenational population! Investing in children is a long-term, but essential strategy. An NAE study showed that 63% adult Christians chose to follow Jesus between the ages of 4 and... Read the article...

A Ride for His Life!

God intervened and gave Andy Hunt an unexpected Detour Many of you will know that an amazing group of GLO supporters recently took on a gruelling cycling challenge across Burundi. Among them was Andy, whose excitement and training had been building for months. But just hours before flying out,... Read the article...

10th Anniversary Cycling Tour

The ‘Tour Du Burundi‘ AKA ‘Bike for Burundi‘ is about to celebrate an amazing 10th year on the road! Cyclists from around the UK and USA will be joining with our founder, Simon Guillebaud, on this gruelling but immensely fulfilling ride through some of Burundi’s most stunning landscapes. It... Read the article...

The Business of Blessing

Ian and Helene Finlayson have always had a heart for the poor. When Ian set up Practical Solutions International (PSI Ltd), it was never just about profit. Their mission is to “make a practical impact in the UK and developing countries through food safety, sustainability and ethical practices.” The... Read the article...

A Gift of Dignity

Fifteen-year-old Kennina smiled shyly as she received her pack of sanitary pads, the joy on her face unmistakable. For her and 150 other girls at Busoro High School, this modest gift meant far more than hygiene, it offered dignity, freedom, and the promise of education. It may seem unfathomable... Read the article...

Vital Prayer Response

We knew things were getting dangerously challenging when Reuters, The Telegraph and other news agencies began sharing reports across the world about the tensions that flared up in the Great Lakes region of Africa in February. We knew that we had to call our GLO supporters to pray, and... Read the article...

“Bottom-up and Top-down” Leadership

If you have ever heard Simon Guillebaud speak, you will probably remember him saying these words: “GLO identifies, equips and empowers the best local leaders of passion, integrity, gifting and vision for the transformation of Burundi, bottom-up and top-down.” This is the core vision of how GLO seeks to... Read the article...

Freed from Prison

Francine Gahimbare, a 40-year-old mother of three from Bujumbura, has been released from prison after spending a traumatising one year and five months behind bars! Although she was initially sentenced to one year, her release was delayed until the intervention of our partner, Restoration Burundi (RESTOBU). Francine’s imprisonment stemmed from... Read the article...

The harvest is plentiful!

In Ndava commune, there are a few more smiles on the residents’ faces this year. It’s a novelty because these folk have been used to generations of hard graft for little reward! The current situation in Burundi is one of lack, with the 13 million population struggling to produce anywhere... Read the article...

Empowering change!

At 60 years old, Tabu Ntahonkuriye of Buterere embodies resilience and determination. A widow and mother of six, her life was once marked by hardship as she struggled to provide for her family. “I worked daily in the rice fields, earning only 6,000 BIF (£1.62) per day,” Tabu recalls.... Read the article...

Thank you for making Christmas Special!

We had such an incredible response to our staff Christmas gifts campaign! With Burundi in such dire straits at the moment, your outpouring of generosity couldn’t have come at a better time! Because of you, over 800 families received much-needed support, and many of our partners hosted special Christmas... Read the article...

From the Grip of Evil to God’s Embrace

Evariste’s life was a storm of addiction and violence, earning him the nickname Rwarusazi, or “the crazy man,” in his community. At just 30 years old, he was consuming three crates of beer and six packs of cigarettes daily. His destructive habits wreaked havoc on his family, especially his... Read the article...

Open for Service!

‘This is so wrong!’ That was the gut-wrenching feeling Isaiah felt when he saw retired church Pastors begging in markets. Clergy who retire in Burundi rarely have any pension or savings, so they and their families can end up destitute. Isaiah was determined to do something about it. “It... Read the article...

Thanksgiving from Clementine

You might remember the amazing story of Clementine, the resilient and inspiring lady who lost her legs, was assaulted, and has overcome so many obstacles to this day. We had an incredible outpouring of folks wanting to support her, and I’m so pleased to report back that she is... Read the article...

Amazing Applied Leadership!

“Today marks a significant milestone in my journey.” Pastor Joseph Minani is dressed up in his best clothes to celebrate a significant occasion – graduating with his Masters Degree! He is one of 1934 to do so this year. United Citizens for Change and Development (UCCD) operates these pop-up... Read the article...

Secure Foundations

A home is more than somewhere to sleep. It is a place to cook, eat, relax, and feel secure. Many mud-brick huts in Burundi lack security. With little more than a curtain across the doorway, thieves can easily get inside, or when bad weather strikes, people have to pray... Read the article...

Treasure Amongst Trash

Most of the rubbish and garbage from the bustling city centre of Bujumbura finds its way from kerbsides and trash cans to the dump at Mubone, ten miles away. But the piles of discarded detritus are a means of survival for some, and so a community of those on... Read the article...

Nurturing Creativity in Burundi

Inganji’s vision is to help Christian artists develop by empowering and equipping them to use their art and creativity to serve and build the body of Christ, share the Gospel message and, thereby, transform society. To achieve this, Inganji has developed a network of artists to foster relationships and... Read the article...

Even More Stunning Fruit!

The Mustard Seed of Faith Rukundo* had been bedridden for a long time. What began as simple weakness and fever had escalated into a grave illness that baffled doctors. His parents were desperate and devastated. The only solution was to transfer Rukundo to a better hospital in Bujumbura, but... Read the article...

Stunning Gospel Fruit!

Breaking Free: From Addiction to Salvation Nsabimana’s life took a wrong turn 15 years ago. What began as casual weekends spent drinking with friends spiralled into something darker. A few drinks quickly turned into inebriation, to the point where he would often pass out. Many nights, Nsabimana found himself... Read the article...

Back to School Thanks!

We want to say a huge thank you to everybody who supported this appeal. It really does make a huge difference! It’s heart-warming to see these families with children eagerly sorting through their new stationary, in uniform and ready for the school year. And now our partners can thrive... Read the article...

WHAT A WOMAN!

When I heard this, I couldn’t keep it to myself! Sometimes you hear a story and you get to be a part of totally changing someone’s life. That’s my invitation to you right now! Clementine has no legs and actually walks on her hands. My colleague Eloge drove past... Read the article...

Bags of Talent!

We love big dreamers like Digne. She was given away as a child because her father did not want her. Her grandmother did her best to care for her until she died when Digne was 10, but they lived in poverty, often lacking the basics. However, this tough start... Read the article...

Bottom-up and Top-down

Our mission is to transform Burundi from the bottom-up and top-down. Bottom-up addresses symptoms such as poverty, sickness or hunger, whereas top-down transformation tackles the root causes. United Christians for Change and Development (UCCD) has invested many years in bottom-up transformation, impacting thousands across Burundi through education, evangelism and... Read the article...

Continued Flood Relief in Gatumba

Although flood waters have receded a little in Burundi, thousands remain affected, homeless or displaced. GLO Partner New Generation has been working to provide immediate relief to a community in temporary housing by providing food and other essentials, as well as organising events to encourage and minister to those... Read the article...

Grateful Smiles for New Laptops!

Earlier this year, we launched our appeal to purchase laptops for our fantastic partner organisations. Here’s some beautiful messages of thanks from the leaders. It brought a smile to our faces, and we’re confident it will bring a smile to yours too!... Read the article...

Pastor Retirement Home Update

So many of you sowed into our exciting retirement home project in 2023. A year on, here is an update on the progress made. It’s beautiful to see how the community has got involved with cultivating the land, and to see the building coming together. Thank you for being... Read the article...

Sharing the Burden

By Charlotte Hutchinson, GLO Trustee. For a long time, I have felt drawn to stand with and pray for the ‘GLO ladies’ – a mixture of women leading Partner organisations and the precious wives of our male leaders. It’s been a joy to gather together with them on my... Read the article...

The Prodigal Preacher

Jean trembled as he met with Onesphore. With every ounce of humility he could muster, he said, “I know I was wrong. I want to be forgiven – but if you can’t forgive me, I’m ready to be punished. Either way, please allow me to stay by your side.”... Read the article...

From a World of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light!

For over fifty years, Yesaya was notorious as an aggressive and ruthless Witchdoctor in the Kabanda hills. With expertise in dark magic and sorcery, his reputation had spread far beyond his hometown to other parts of the nation. When he was 15-years-old, he inherited the powers and charms of... Read the article...

Aid for People Displaced by Flooding

GLO Partner New Generation have been visiting Gatumba, a region severely impacted by flooding, with thousands displaced from their homes and living in camps. The flooding is just one of many crises that Burundi is facing at the moment. We are raising money to support our Partners at this... Read the article...

An Audience of Millions!

As the only Christian TV station in Burundi, Heritage Television (HTV) has a crucial, strategic role in Burundi. They broadcast a wide variety of programmes, from discussions around tricky topics, to Bible teaching, to music. It’s aim is to broadcast messages of hope, encouragement, peace and joy. It’s already... Read the article...

Huge Floods in Burundi

It is currently rainy season in Burundi, and although the rain has not been much heavier than usual, there is a huge issue with flooding. Why? The level of Lake Tangakyika, which forms much of the Western border of the country, has risen dramatically. This is the second consecutive... Read the article...

Turning Pages, Changing Lives

Many of us are flooded by a constant stream of information. For an internet-connected, English-speaking Christian, there are millions of hours of recordings, online blogs and books that they can access to resource their journey of faith. But for a Kirundi-speaking Burundian, who may not have money to pay... Read the article...

Bouncing Back

Thalia* was trapped in a horrific situation. Living in a slum as a young mother of three, with almost no money, she had a lot of pressures. But when she most needed the support and care of her husband, he was abusive and controlling. He refused to share his... Read the article...

The Greatest Prize

Football (Soccer) is the national sport of Burundi, and it’s an incredibly effective tool for evangelism. New Generation Founder, church leader and national influencer, Dieudonne Nahimana travels all across Burundi organising sporting outreach events and speaking as a as a voice for peace, integrity and the Gospel. This captivating... Read the article...

Tears and Bullets in Burundi…

As I stood up to preach, I burst into tears in the pulpit. It was July 2003 and I had flown back from Burundi and on to the USA for my first preaching tour there. I was with a wonderful church called St Andrew’s in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. Memories of... Read the article...

An Unusual Leader

So why was Consolate, a KCC staff member, crying at the celebration dinner for Goretti? Earlier in the year, we shared about the outgoing director of King’s Conference Centre, Goretti Wege, and her successor, Celestin Kubwimana. One reason this story is such a success was because the transition between... Read the article...

Medicine or Food?

For Samuel, 34, trying to feed four children when you earn less than 50p per day is tough enough. Saving up for a health insurance card on top of that is even tougher. “The main concern becomes how to feed our children at least once a day.” In the... Read the article...

Thunderbolts from Heaven!

Nearly every other weekend of the year, the UCCD team are out in remote parts of Burundi, collaborating with local churches to run Gospel outreach events. In 2023 alone, over 54,000 people attended these events, with 8,621 people making that special decision to become followers of Jesus! They often... Read the article...

Would you like to receive stories by email?