“I grew up admiring Micheline Barandereka, Founder of the Shekinah Center in Burundi. Micheline dedicated her whole life to the rural poor of Burundi. The Shekinah Center provides education to rural children. It’s not how much Micheline gives to “her children,” but how much love she puts into giving it! She  empowers people to have control and ownership on their lives. She taught me not to be egoistic, and I appreciate her tolerance, dedication, the spirit of caring for others before one’s own interests, the love, and the passion! Through her, I learned how to focus on what really matters. She teaches me daily motivation and commitment—  she is an icon of charity! She makes a whole nation proud.”

By Michèle Sandrine Nininahazwe, Team Assistant at World Bank, based in Bujumbura