Burundi, often referred to as “The Heart of Africa,” faces numerous challenges, including poverty, disease, and social injustice. Amidst these difficulties, several charity organizations have emerged, striving to improve the lives of its people through various initiatives. Notable organizations like Burundi Friends International (BFI), Love Burundi, IPSDI Burundi, and Hope4Burundi are dedicated to fostering economic empowerment, advancing education, and providing essential support to vulnerable communities. Each organization brings a unique approach, focusing on grassroots participation, leadership development, and holistic care for marginalized individuals. Together, these charities aim to uplift Burundi by addressing its pressing needs and inspiring hope for a brighter future.
Burundi Friends International (BFI) was founded in 2007 by a group of women after a retreat, inspired by one member’s desire to help alleviate poverty in Burundi. BFI’s mission is to unite and educate youth, women, and men to achieve economic empowerment and create self-sustaining communities in Burundi, East Africa.
The organization values service, dignity, generosity, compassion, and trust. BFI operates with a two-pronged approach: board members visit Burundi to assess needs, while in the U.S., they develop projects, partner with nonprofits and governments, raise funds, and recruit skilled volunteers. These projects are then implemented in Burundi with the support of local volunteers and organizations.
Love Burundi is a UK-based group of volunteers dedicated to advancing Christian leadership education in Burundi for holistic development. Collaborating with Bujumbura Christian University (BCU), they promote fundraising initiatives to assist students who aspire to share the gospel and engage in community development but lack the financial means to study. Additionally, they support Christian leadership conferences and training programs at BCU.
Established in 2015, BCU initially focused on Theology and celebrated its first graduates in 2019. It has since expanded to include faculties in Administration and Communication, Economics and Management Studies, and Computer Science and Technology as of 2023. BCU aims to foster spiritual and social harmony in Burundi by equipping future leaders, pastors, and administrators through Christ-centered teaching. The dedicated staff at BCU are committed to providing high-quality training to fulfill this vision.
Libby moved to Burundi in 1997 to care for orphaned children and has since become a mother figure to many. Together with her husband Honda, a local with a passion for helping street children, they founded a charity dedicated to supporting the marginalized and impoverished. Married in 2000, the couple has dedicated over 20 years to improving the lives of those affected by poverty, war, and social injustice, becoming parents to over 150 children.
Their charity originated when five boys approached Libby for food and shelter, leading to the conversion of a shipping container into a refuge. They aim to remove children from the streets, providing them with homes, families, and education. The charity offers various levels of support, including two Hope Houses for some children and community-based assistance for others, ensuring that all receive education and basic necessities, such as meals and hygiene facilities.
IPSDI Burundi, founded in 2011 and registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, is a national charity organization dedicated to assisting marginalized communities. With a focus on promoting social well-being and combating poverty, IPSDI employs a community-driven development approach that emphasizes grassroots participation in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of its interventions.
The organization places vulnerable individuals at the forefront, empowering them to drive their own change while enhancing their autonomy and capabilities. IPSDI addresses neglected causes, supports local actors for sustainable transformation, and fosters innovation through holistic strategies. Its aim is to create systemic effects that address the root causes of social issues, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities it serves.
Hope4Burundi is a non-profit mission organization dedicated to sharing the hope of Christ and facilitating the restoration of Burundi, often referred to as “The Heart of Africa.” The organization addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of a country that has faced significant challenges due to internal conflict, resulting in poverty, disease vulnerability, and a high number of widows and orphans.
By partnering with local Christian leaders and organizations like Homecare Ministries, Hope4Burundi aims to create a collaborative effort for lasting change. Their mission focuses on empowering communities, improving access to education, and providing support to those in need, fostering a sense of hope and resilience throughout the nation. Through these partnerships, they aspire to bring renewal and healing to the people of Burundi.
This list of charities in Yemen isn’t the whole list of those out there, and AAM Nation Care is yet another amazing organization caring about people and their future.