With the arrival of Christmas, we can reflect on the past year. We have had a very productive year with the development of 8 new agriculture and livestock development projects and our significant collaboration with the University and the Church. At end of the year, we share a very special feedback message we recently received from one of readers.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
We started new eight new projects; 4 new normal development projects and 4 new special development projects.
Four New Agriculture Development Projects:
- Cultivating Crops and Raising Goats for Vulnerable Women from Rusekabuye Colline, Musigati Commune in Bubanza Province – Project Manager: Celestin BIGIRIMANA
- Supporting Vulnerable Women in Cultivating Crops and Breeding Pigs at Mukungu Colline in Nyanza-Lac Commune in MAKAMBA Province – Project Manager: Edyssa NIBITANGA
- Cultivating Vegetables and Raising the Goats for Vulnerable Women in NGOZI Province, Busiga Commune, Rukeco Zone and Mpondogoto Colline – Project Manager: Elysé NDIHOKUBWAYO
- Cultivating Crops and Breeding Goats for Vulnerable Women from KIRUNDO Province, Bugabira Commune in Kiri Colline – Project Manager: Evariste NSANZUBUMWE
Two New Special Projects at Rukaramu and Buringa
- Growing Rice and Breeding Pigs for Vulnerable Women in Rukaramu Hill, Mutimbuzi Commune, Bujumbura Province – Project Managers: Sadi BIGIRIMANA and Euphraim NDIKUMWENAYO
- Cultivating Corn and Soybeans and Breeding Pigs for Vulnerable Women from Buringa Colline, Gihanga Commune in Bubanza Province – Project Manager: Epithace NDUWAYO
Two New Special Projects at Kibuye
- Cultivating Crops and Breeding Goats for Vulnerable Women from Kibuye Colline, Bukirasazi Commune, GITEGA Province – Project Managers: Luc NGENZEBUHORO and Denis NIYUNGEKO
- Cultivating Crops and Breeding Pigs for Vulnerable Women from Kibuye Colline, Bukirasazi Commune, GITEGA Province – Project Managers: Luc NGENZEBUHORO and Denis NIYUNGEKO
COLLABORATION
Collaboration with the University and the Church
Hope Africa University and the Free Methodist Church of Burundi are supporting and collaborating with the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund more than ever before. Accordingly, there are many important collaborative advancements taking place on agriculture and livestock development.
- With the Rector’s support, the HMODF identified and secured nearby land for practical crop cultivation training for the current Agriculture and Zootechny Program Internship Students
- With the Rector’s support, Dr. John McCready of the HMODF recruited Foundations for Farming to provide the first high-production practical crop cultivation training and supervised practice for the Internship Students
- In collaboration with the University and the Church, Dr. John McCready established and facilitated the first two meetings of the new Agriculture and Zootechny Program Improvement Committee (AZPIC); a collaborative initiative to improve the entire Agriculture and Zootechny Program
- With the Rector’s support and in collaboration with the Church, Dr. John McCready prepared and distributed an AZPIC Action Plan for the Continuing Internship (November and December); community agriculture crop cultivation training and connecting the students with the Church, the HMODF and other organizations’ agriculture and livestock development projects and project personnel in their home areas
Working with Cyprien NTUNZWENIMANA, Head of the Agriculture and Zootechny Program (AZP) and selected AZP students, the first three onsite Extended Community Planting training practical crop cultivation training sessions for beneficiaries took place; one at a HMODF project in Gasenyi and two near the University’s Research and Development Centre at Buringa.
SPECIAL FEEDBACK MESSAGE
In response to one of our Newsletters, I received a special message from someone who worked with me when we were both in Burundi. He was a student and an instructor at Hope Africa University and now he is out of the country and involved in additional training.
Dear John,
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful update! I was absolutely thrilled to read about the results and the success of your recent visit to Burundi. The vital work you are doing in Burundi is laying down a powerful and enduring legacy, and it’s profoundly clear that your efforts are valuable far beyond the immediate projects. I send all my love and wish you a long, healthy life.
I am especially impressed by the initiative to develop community involvement with four new projects at Rukaramu and Buringa; and Kibuye. This focus is brilliant, as it ties direct community service to the growth and practical application of the University’s agricultural faculty, fostering genuine social development. This approach elevates the projects from aid to true partnership. Your leadership in this effort makes you truly a “big mugisha” (a great blessing) to me and to everyone who works alongside you.
It brings me such deep joy to see you realizing your dreams, faithfully following in your grandfather’s footsteps of building the indigenous church. The depth of your positive impact on the ground is truly immeasurable. All the vulnerable women your fund supports and enables to acquire livestock, cultivating crops and breeding goats, they will absolutely never forget your generosity; that hands-on enablement is the definition of lasting transformation.
On a personal note, I wanted to let you know that your friend is always delighted to hear from you and sends his warmest regards, wishing you such successful dream accomplishment in the years ahead. Keep up this magnificent, inspired work!
Sincerely yours,
D.N.
NEW YEAR COMING
We close this year and this Newsletter by wishing all of our readers and supporters the very best for all of 2026; Happy New Year!
Please consider giving to the Haley-McCready Outreach and Development Fund in 2025 and please consider investing in our productive, successful development that works to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of poor women and their families in Burundi.
To donate, please visit Donations – Haley-McCready Outreach and Development Fund.