Hope is on the Way!

Hope is the heart of the ministry in Burundi. True hope comes to those who have chosen Jesus as their savior and their belief in God’s Word. The Burundi Hope Project , by default, seeks to guide the people in Burundi to that hope. “Hope” is the focus word in every thing we do: Children of Hope, Women of Hope, Hope House…..you see the trend. Through the resources that have been entrusted to us by our ministry partners , God’s guidance and wisdom shared in His word, our desire is to bring hope to all we come in contact with. Sometimes that hope comes from our words of encouragement and prayers. It manifests itself in providing for daily physical needs such as food and shelter. Simple gifts of soap and clean water to drink can be gifts of gold to someone who has no regular means of support. Acknowledging those who are viewed socially “damaged” due to physical or mental challenges can bring a sense of self-worth. Bringing hope in each of these ways is a pathway to Jesus himself and the ultimate hope in eternity. It is also the start of building relationships that bring trust and community.

May 2023 marked the opening of Hope House. Burundi Hope Project was able to rent a house that wold be used for short and long term stays for women of all ages who were in need of a safe, healthy and secure place to live. Over the past 3 years it has housed sewing center interns; sewing teams coming for specialized training in uniforms and sustainable hygiene kits; Women of Hope teaching teams; and several long term residents. In August of 2025 Hope House moved to a new location that allowed Burundi Hope Project to rennovate space that would better meet our needs with the expansion of the sewing center program. Additional sleeping space is available as well as a sewing room for the residents to use for personal projects. The Hope House director lives on site and is able to oversee the day to day operations.

The next step along this path of “Hope” is establishing a sustainable business that will subsidize the day to day cost of operatins. The Lord has provided an opportuninty. Please keep the Burundi Hope Leadership team in prayer as we work through the details and seek wisdom in our decisions. Keep reading to see a snapshot of our “Hope House Ladies”!

God BLess!

Susan May, Co-founder, Burundi Hope Projeact

Two sisters…the reason behind Hope House

Fabiola and Consolatte were orphaned at a young age and experienced many years of abuse and homelessness. Fabiola was one of the first tailors in the sewing program. Her sister found a way to join her in Bujumbura and an elderly women took both of them into her single room home. Consolatte suffered from years of emotional abuse and Fabiola dealt with chronic illness. Through a series of events Burundi Hope was able to obtain a rental house to start the Hope House program. The change has been amazing to see. Consolatte (left) is now a confident women always singing in every task she does. She oversees the daily tasks of Hope House and the interns. Fabiola is healthy and strong and has become a Class 2 Tailor in the Sewing Center. They are the “glue” of Hope House.

Hope House: Living out the mission of the Burundi Hope Project

Blessings of Hope House

The biggest blessing we have seen at Hope House is the sense of family and communinty that has developed. We realized that the deaf residents did not understand or know how to be part of a family. Even when they retunred home to their own families they were rarely involved in family activities or responsibilities. Many of the families did not learn sign langugae and there was always a communication barrier. All who live at Hope House share in the daily tasks as well as maninatining thier own living space. Hearing residents take sign language classes and the interns are becoming more proficeint in written language. They have become family!

Our Hope House Director, Claudine, has been amazed at how well they have all adapted to living togrther on many levels. She is the liaison between Burundi Hope and Hope House. She works with Consolatte and keeps all the residents accountable to the guidelines of being able to stay at Hope House.

Once the residents are able to have consistent monthly income they are asked to contribute to the monthly food budget. Currently all are able to do that. We keep the amount small so they can have the means to manage their other needs. Several of them use a portion of their income to send home to their families.

Meet Deborah!

After her mother died, her father remairried and refused to support his 7 children. She is the oldest in her family and is deaf.

Deborah tell us: ” During school holidays, I had to go work on construction sites, carrying construction materials, cements, and water so I can meet some of my needs and my sibling’s. Now I am thankful that God made a way for me to do sewing classes and training. I was welcomed to work with the sewing team. I am also thankful for the new safe home. Now I have good food. May God bless every one who is helping us”

Meet Cynthia!

Cynthia has 6 siblings and is deaf. “ From my little age, my parents did not raise me,  and was taken care of by   relatives and  neighbors. My family has been facing challenges, with divorced parents, life was not easy.  My mom and my siblings had to move to another country, Congo to find a better life. I am thankful that the Lord made a way to give me an opportunity  to gain a living by  sewing and letting me work with the team.”

Finding the Way to Hope

More testimonies from the ladies of Hope House can be found on our website , burundihopeproject.com under Women of Hope Ministry. As you can see, the Hope House Program is closely linked with the Sewing Program. It is how we are helping these women to find their way along the path of hope. Last month we shared some needs for the programs and we have been blessed by the generosity of our supporters, receiving $4000 for the programs.

As a side note, we do have some young men who are also interning at the sewing center but they are living at home or with other family members. We support them in a different way by helping with daily transport and food money. They are included in our intern support.

The Needs

Renovation of an adjacent building and container: $1500

Room and Board support for the Hope House interns: $50 per month for 6 months (each intern)

8 Sewing Machines: $150 each

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support!