An international team from Germany and the United States traveled to Burundi as part of a field visit to discover the results and impact of projects implemented by their local partners.

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On August 5, 2026, the team visited several achievements of the Charles Nkazamyampi Foundation (FCN) in Butanyerera Province, particularly in Kirundo Commune, Cewe Zone.

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They visited four of the eight houses currently under construction for vulnerable widows. These houses are being built through the commitment and mobilization of young people from the community.

This initiative was launched following training sessions organized by the Charles Nkazamyampi Foundation on Christian and ethical values, including compassion, love for others, forgiveness, and solidarity. After receiving this training, the young people chose to put these values into practice through concrete acts of charity and support for vulnerable members of their communities.

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The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Governor of Butanyerera Province and the Administrator of Kirundo Commune. The authorities expressed their appreciation for the commitment of the partners supporting the initiatives of the Charles Nkazamyampi Foundation and highlighted the significant impact of these projects on communities across Butanyerera Province.

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The Kickoff to Hope team also participated in several sports activities organized by FCN, including a football match and a 4-kilometer Peace Race.

Young people who have participated in the Foundation’s projects shared deeply encouraging testimonies about their journeys and the impact that the various training sessions and activities have had on their lives. For some, these programs have been a source of spiritual transformation: they discovered faith and chose to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For others, income-generating activities enabled them to acquire new skills, create sources of income, and gradually become self-reliant. Others had the opportunity to discover and develop their talents in sports, eventually distinguishing themselves in competitions and becoming among the best athletes at the national level.

These testimonies demonstrate how the Foundation’s support is helping transform lives, unlock potential, and give young people new reasons to hope and build a better future.

The Foundation uses a participatory approach to promote peace, strengthen social cohesion, and encourage young people to become agents of change within their communities. Young people voluntarily commit themselves to becoming Peace Ambassadors by signing a Peace Commitment Card. In total, 100 young people committed themselves to becoming messengers of peace in their communities.

An evangelization session followed the football match. Hubert shared the Gospel message and invited the young people to welcome Jesus Christ into their lives. He encouraged them to make this decision with faith and conviction, reminding them that choosing to follow Jesus is a decision they will never regret. Fifty-three people accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

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At the end of the race, the top runners received medals and prizes, including soap and reusable towels. The teams that participated in the football match were also rewarded: the winning team received a large goat, while the second-place team received a smaller goat.

This visit enabled the international delegation to witness firsthand how the support provided to local partners is translated into concrete actions and positive changes in the lives of communities. It also highlighted how the Charles Nkazamyampi Foundation combines values-based training, community engagement, evangelization, and sport to contribute to peace, solidarity, social cohesion, and sustainable development in Burundi.