Fall 2026 Matching Gift: Double Your Impact for 418 Women in Burundi

I am excited to announce a $20,000 matching gift opportunity for projects in Burundi. In September, SowHope was invited to visit Burundi, known as the poorest country in the world, in order to form new relationships and partnerships. I joined SowHope Board Chair Mac McDonnell and Program Director Sylivia Juta on this field visit. We were deeply moved by what we witnessed firsthand.

The first morning, we met a group of twenty-five unwed mothers and Aimee, a dynamic local leader. I wish I could adequately describe what we saw and felt: the testimonies of being rejected by family and society, then being
accepted and loved by Aimee; the singing, the tears, the poverty; the distribution of piglets to six fortunate women, and the sewing center where twenty-two young women are learning tailoring on eleven used machines. Everything was emotionally overwhelming.

Partner Aimee and SowHope Board Chair Mac

At the end of the meeting, I turned to Mac (who had tears in his eyes), and said, “Can I just say, bingo?” He nodded, unable to speak. Later, he wrote in his journal, “My imagination was not large enough to accept that we would find leaders in the communities that had taken it upon themselves to gather women and walk beside them. Here, there is hope, dignity, and faith in abundance.”

The next partner we met, Pamela, began her project by helping children with school supplies. Soon, she realized (to my utter delight) that to have a lasting impact on children, it would be better to help their mothers.

It was heartbreaking to hear one woman with five children describe how she tried to make some money selling avocados and bananas on the street only to be put in jail (street selling is illegal). Pamela wants to open a small market that will allow the women in her microfinance group to sell their goods lawfully and avoid such confrontations.

I laid awake each night marveling at what we had seen. We witnessed extreme poverty and despair, yet also the
most remarkable, compassionate responses from humble and inspiring local leaders. It is projects like these that gives women a chance to transform their lives, and you can play a big part with your gift today.

Generous donors have offered to match every gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000. Together, we can turn that into $40,000 to help women in Burundi gain skills, start businesses, generate income, and create brighter futures for their families. Be a part of transforming the poorest country in the world!