03/07/2026
Rising Beyond Barriers: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Leadership
On July 2, 2026, Community Rise, successfully held the second session of the RISE Club for Inclusion at the American Corner Kamenge, University of Burundi. The gathering brought together around 50 university students, the majority live with disabilities for an afternoon of inspiration, learning, and meaningful dialogue.
Under the theme "Rising Beyond Barriers: Building Confidence, Resilience, and Leadership," participants were encouraged to recognize their value, strengthen their resilience, and embrace their role as leaders and changemakers in their communities.
We were honored to welcome Missionaries Leah Lautenbach and JP Nkurunziza , and Divine the Interpreter from YWAM Burundi as our guest speakers.
Leah shared a powerful reflection on discovering our identity in Christ, drawing from Matthew 4:3, where Jesus was challenged about His identity. She reminded participants that neither disability nor life's circumstances define who they are. Rather, their identity is found in Christ. She encouraged everyone to trust in God, whose purpose for each person is greater than any barrier they may encounter.
JP Nkurunziza deeply inspired participants through his personal journey. Growing up as an orphan, he faced significant hardships, yet through faith, perseverance, and forgiveness, he overcame those challenges to become a missionary. His testimony demonstrated that our past does not determine our future and that forgiveness has the power to heal, restore, and open doors to new possibilities.
The session was further enriched by the courageous testimonies of two members of the RISE Club for Inclusion.
Reverien NTUNZWENIMANA, a student who is blind, shared his journey of determination, reminding everyone that vision is not only about sight but also about purpose, hope, and perseverance.
MANIRAMBONA Evelyne, a student with a hearing impairment who communicates through sign language, moved the audience with her testimony. Through her signs, interpreted for the audience by our Colleague Sun Lyse INEZA, Evelyne shared her experiences with remarkable courage and resilience, demonstrating that every voice matters even when it is expressed without words.
The RISE Club for Inclusion continues to provide a safe and empowering space where university students living with disabilities can connect, learn from one another, build confidence, and grow as leaders who will champion inclusion on their campuses and beyond.
At Community Rise, we believe that disability is not inability. Every individual has unique gifts, talents, and the potential to transform society when given the opportunity to thrive.
Together, we are building a future where barriers are broken, inclusion is embraced, and every young person is empowered to rise beyond barriers.
Great Lakes Outreach Operation Go Quickly Segal Family Foundation Simon Guillebaud Speaker/Author Bernadette Niyoyitungira Jagen Gouramari Nzunguri Fondation Roi Baudouin UNV Burundi UNICEF Burundi U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi Regional Leadership Center East Africa
