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Significant Change: Joy, because of Jesus
  • by Amy Touzell
  • December 2, 2022

Ménédore is a single mum who lives in Gitega, Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world. Her husband left her long ago to care for their two children on her own, in a place where food insecurity is on the rise. Half of the children under five years of age are suffering from malnutrition, leading to detrimental impacts on their physical and intellectual development. In Burundi, one third of deaths of children in that age bracket are attributed to malnutrition.

Anglican Aid is partnering with the Diocese of Gitega to address the issue of food insecurity through the Gitega Food Security Project. The ultimate goal of the project is to alleviate starvation and malnutrition in Burundi, by building key infrastructure and equipping small scale farmers, like Ménédore, with essential agricultural skills and knowledge.

Since anti-erosion ditches were dug and she participated in the project’s modern agricultural techniques training, Ménédore has experienced an extraordinary 186%  increase in crop harvests. She told us,

“Where I used to produce 35kg of maize, now I produce around 100kg.”

But it is not only a nutritious family meal that Ménédore can look forward to sharing with her kids this Christmas. She attests that it was through the Gitega Food Security Project that she first encountered God’s love. This led her to go to church to find out more. Now, with a heart full of joy – which can only come from knowing the truth of the gospel – she proclaims,

“I am now a believer! … Before [being involved in] this project, I lived desperately with regrets and complaints. But, today I have learnt to rely on God and constantly feel encouraged and loved.”

This Christmas Ménédore and her two children will be nourished physically and spiritually, experiencing joy, because of Jesus.


1 John 5:14 reminds us: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Join us as we pray for the Gitega Food Security Project by bringing these prayer points before God and sharing them with your churches and Bible studies:

  • Pray for God’s provision, that there will be a continual increase in nutrient-rich food production in Gitega.
  • Please ask that the health and wellbeing of the people of Burundi, particularly of young children, will improve.
  • Give thanks for the Diocese of Gitega. Pray that more people will experience God’s love through their interactions with the community.
  • Praise God that Ménédore has come to know Jesus. Pray that others who are participating in the project will also find true joy in Christ.

This Christmas, please join us in supporting projects like this one which show and proclaim the overflowing joy, sincere love and perfect peace possible, because of Jesus. All donations to Anglican Aid’s Christmas Appeal are tax-deductible and go towards people like Ménédore and her children.

Let grace flow

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