Who We Are

Burundi’s painful history, marked by repeated crises in 1965, 1972, and especially the devastating civil war of 1993, left a legacy of immense suffering.

These conflicts resulted in widespread deaths, mass displacement both internally and externally, and the systematic destruction of the nation’s economic and social infrastructure. The consequence was a severe deterioration in the socioeconomic conditions for the entire population, with women bearing an especially heavy burden.

Beyond the generalized decline in living conditions, Burundian women faced the compounding challenges of persistent discrimination, exploitation, and the exhaustive demands of household tasks. These factors severely limited their socioeconomic participation, perpetuating a grim cycle of low family income, an increase in street children, and a pervasive sense of indignation among women.

This deep conviction was profoundly personal for Mrs. Virginie Niyizigama, the visionary leader who headed the organization’s creation.

Her own childhood was really irrevisibly shaped by trauma; she endured the loss of her father during the civil war and witnessed her mother’s excruciating struggle to provide Virgine and her four siblings.

It was with this firm conviction that every person deserves to live in dignity and that women needed to be equipped to lead a dignified life, that Faith in Action was founded by five determined individuals under

Mrs. Niyizigama’s leadership. Registered in September 2003, the organization quickly earned official recognition from the Government of Burundi through ministerial order No. 530/1373.

For the first seven years, the founders quietly and selflessly funded the organization’s work from their own contributions to support vulnerable women.

A mentor who had closely followed the FIA’s early impact encouraged the founders to expand their work. Guided by this advice, the team underwent intensive mentorship and successfully completed the Social Incubator Program by the Segal Family Foundation.

They secured their first external funding and officially launched open operations in 2011. From that moment, Faith in Action embarked on its vital mission… promoting the rights of disadvantaged or at-risk women and children, and diligently building the resilience of vulnerable families in rural areas and slums across Burundi.

Founded in 2003 by Mme Virginie Niyizigama and four co-founders, Faith in Action was born out of Burundi’s post-war recovery. Virginie’s own experience of loss, hardship, and the resilience of women in crisis inspired a movement rooted in dignity, rights, and opportunity.

Our Vision:

An equitable society where all women and their families thrive socially and economically.

Our Mission:

Faith in Action Africa coaches and supports women in Burundi through a holistic and commnunity based approach, enabling them to become economically active and influential community memebrs.

Our Vision:

An equitable society where all women and their families thrive socially and economically.

Our Mission:

We support Burundian women to thrive through holistic, family and community centered coaching.

Meet The Leader

Virginie Niyizigama

Co-founder & Executive Director

Virginie Niyizigama is a nationally awarded grassroots leader with over two decades of experience dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of women and families in Burundi.

Her leadership is rooted not just in expertise, but in a deep personal understanding of the struggles faced by the communities she serves. Having lived through the impact of Burundi’s civil conflict and personal loss, Virginie brings empathy, determination, and lived insight to every aspect of her work. Her approach combines strategic vision with hands-on involvement, ensuring that programs are not only effective but grounded in the real needs of women. Under her leadership, Faith in Action has grown into a respected force for change building resilience, restoring dignity, and unlocking opportunity in some of the country’s most underserved areas.

Willy Iyamuremye

Program Manager

Divin Nimpoza

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning manager(MEL)

Grace Mugisha

Strategic and communications Manager

Evelyne Ndayikengurikye

Finance Manager Evelyne NDAYIKENGURIKIYE

Successful stories

Mwajuma Micheline

When I had given up and lost my sense of life, Faith in Action Africa came to my rescue, restored me, and encouraged me to face life despite my problems. They connected me with other women, where I was empowered in different areas, regained my self-confidence, and learned that I can thrive just like others.

Lyse Mahirwe

Everything went down when my husband, who was the breadwinner got sick, but Faith In Action Africa came through and initiated me into an SHG where I was able to get a loan in my group of 200k and start a business of selling palm oil, enabling me to care for my family’s needs and thrive as a woman

Kwizerimana Agnes

My husband used to struggle a lot to get food on the table, but after being connected to other women, trained in entrepreneurial skills, starting from saving and crediting, Faith In Action Africa taught me that I can make an income, which not only boosts my confidence but also gives me a place in my family and community

Mukehabirori Laeticia

Faith in Action Africa did not only awaken my thinking, but also transformed how we handle family matters. Through their guidance, I was able to support my daughter who had dropped out of school and was preparing for early marriage. That decision would have kept her in the same cycle of poverty I have struggled to overcome — being uninformed, financially dependent, and unable to contribute meaningfully to the family. Faith in Action Africa helped me understand that, as women, we can make informed choices, shape our futures, and live impactful lives.

Partnerships that transform

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