Sponsorship of an orphan is rewarding for the sponsor and life changing for the child
Burundi Orphans Inc. solicits sponsorships on behalf of two different organizations in Burundi, Youth for Christ and YMCA Burundi. They each have a different approach, but both have the same objective, to dramatically change the life of an orphan for the better in a Christian setting.
Sponsorship with Youth for Christ Burundi
Youth for Christ Burundi is a large organization that operates two orphanages, three schools and a medical center. One of the orphanages is in Kitega in central Burundi. The other is in Chibitoke in northwestern Burundi near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. These orphanages are referred to as "Homes of Hope". There are 6 individual buildings in each orphanage. Each cottage houses 8 orphans, has a house mom and a helper. Every cottage has its' own kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms. Each day starts with worship time and prayer. The orphans are encouraged to make a thoughtful and sincere commitment to Jesus as their savior. All of the orphans attend highly rated schools operated by YFC. They are taught the normal curriculum you might expect, but also how to become ethical and moral leaders in the community. (Scroll down for more images and a link to sponsorships.)
Above, Euphrate, executive director of YFC Burundi, explains how the orphanages operate on location at one of the orphanage cottages.
Below, when you sponsor an orphan with YFC Burundi, you will receive a photo and brief bio of the child you are sponsoring. On holidays and special occasions you may receive a card or a note from the child. You may send letters to your child as well. Every six months you will receive an update regarding the child's progress, health, and well-being.
Sponsors are encouraged to travel to Burundi where they can visit the orphanages and the child they are sponsoring if they like. Burundi Orphans Inc has as one of their goals to send at least one person per year to visit the orphans supported through our efforts and bring back photos, videos, and our personal observations.
Sponsorship with YMCA Burundi
YMCA Burundi is a Christian organization. The "C" very much stands for Christian in this case. Their office is in Bujumbura. Their approach is to find Christian Couples that are willing to take orphans into their homes and treat them as their own family members. In order for couples to be able to afford to properly care for these orphans, it is necessary for them to be sponsored. Below, Mike is pictured with some of the staff of YMCA Burundi in their office in Bujumbura. To Mike's right is Main Donne Butoyi, their treasurer and Arnaud Manirambona, Arthur's brother. The two ladies are volunteers.
The video below is of Batwa children being fed a specially formulated porridge intended to provide as much nutrition as possible. Feeding children and orphans in the community is one of YMCA's programs that is making a difference.
Pictured below, Augustin and Menedora are a faithful couple who serve as loving parents to six orphans. Augustin is a deacon at a church in Gitega. Having lost his parents at an early age, he took on the responsibility of raising his younger siblings. Because of this, he was unable to pursue a formal education, but instead of becoming discouraged, his experience gave him a deep passion for helping other orphans like himself. Even when he was living on the streets with nothing, he consistently cared for other young people, including his siblings. Today he provides for his family by working as a moto taxi driver in Gitega.
Menedora, his wife, also grew up as an orphan, losing her parents during Burundi's civil war. She served at Homes of Hope, where she both provided care and developed a passion for supporting other orphans. After marrying Augustin, she left Homes of Hope and is now a devoted mother of two. She helps sustain her household by selling vegetables at the local market.
Together Augustin and Menedora have a remarkable heart for orphans, which is evident in the love and dedication they show to the six Burundi YMCA orphans in their care. They continue to serve as volunteers at both the YMCA and their local church in Gitega.
Below, Butoyi Main Donnee , YMCA's treasurer is visiting three of the 6 orphans being cared for by YMCA. He was born into a family of nine kids. His father's name is Marcien Minani and his mother's name is Josephine Mbonihankuye. He studied at the University of Bujumbura in the field of health sciences and nursing. He will get a degree in nursing next year. He joined YMCA Burundi in 2015, worked as secretary until 2020, and then treasurer through the present time..
On the left, Mike visits with Keith, a child he sponsors, at a school event in Chibitoke. Keith is an exceptional young man. He is very engaging, studies hard and is hoping to become a pilot. Since Mike is a pilot, they were able to share, through an interpreter, a variety of things about aviation.
When sponsoring an orphan through Burundi YMCA, their team in Burundi will visit the child in the home where they are being cared for and provide a detailed report to the sponsor. They do this on a quarterly basis. They will provide photos and personal observations relating to their care.