End of School…Start of Summer
The end of school for many students is the start of summer vacation—but in Burundi, summer can bring a dramatic shift in daily life. After 10 months of sleeping in a bed at night, regular meals, health care, and a supportive hygiene environment—students return to a different way of life. At Ephphatha Deaf School, classmates become like siblings, and teachers, dorm staff, cooks, and groundworkers often step into roles that feel like family—parents, aunts, and uncles.
Most children miss their biological families and homes. Yet for many, the needs that were met at school may not be available at home. This isn’t because families don’t care; it’s because the means to provide are often simply not there. Our prayer is that they will be safe, protected, and cared for—and that they will feel the presence of Jesus every day.
We had the joy of attending the End of School Party at Ephphatha Deaf School and were blessed by how much students had learned through their Bible Club and how clearly ministry team presentations reflected that growth. The story of Cain and Abel was biblically accurate, and it was even sprinkled with a bit of humor as “sheep” were led toward the sacrifice. It was a wonderful way for the students to finish the school year.
This month, the BHP team will spend significant time “shopping.” We’ll purchase copy books for back-to-school needs for children and their families. We’ll also need health care items for the Sonshine Bags for all 400 students at both schools as they prepare to return in September. In addition, more fabric is needed for the school uniform contract at the sewing center so the uniforms requested for the start of school can continue to be produced. We couldn’t complete this shopping list without your support!
Our final days in Burundi were filled with many opportunities to talk with our Burundian colleagues and hear about the changes and challenges they’re facing. In every conversation, we heard the same theme: the goodness of God and His faithful sustaining presence. It was refreshing to see how they choose joy rather than dwelling on sadness—and encouraging to hear them acknowledge that challenges do not diminish the joy they have in the Lord.
Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement of the Lord’s work in Burundi.
Susan May
Co-founder, Burundi Hope Project
My Right and Left Hands in Burundi
Obed and Claudine are the colleagues and friends I depend on for the day to day operations of the ministry. They both have a love and talent for music and this was a rare moment of them having an impromptu performance. Photo credit to my husband! The ongoing work of Burundi Hope would be difficult without their team work!
New Leadership at Ephphatha
Ephphatha Deaf School is under new leadership with the retirement of the former director. Reverien ( 3rd from the right) will lead the school with Zabulon, the assistnt director ( on his right) and Saidi, dean of students ( on his left). BuruniHope is excited to work with this new team as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
Here are some of those joyful smiles we were privileged to see!
Coming Soon!
The start of school is just around the corner and so is an opportunity to light up the campus of Ephphatha Deaf School! More details coming soon! Pray for the Burundi Hope Project team as we seek wisdom and resources to accomplish this assignment!
