St. Therese of the Little Flower Orphanage
Impact and Success Stories
Impact of STLFWM Orphanage Sponsorship Program
2006-present
2006-present
55 total children served:
- 15 graduated from Vocational Training in Mechanics, Tailoring, Masonry, Computer Science and Electricity.
- 15 graduated from High School.
- 10 graduated from College.
- 1 graduated from Medical School.
- 7 children were reunited with family members.
- 14 left the sponsorship program to accept employment or to start their own businesses.
- 2 remain in the program: 1 attend College and 1 has special needs.
Niyonsaba Imelda
During the genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi Tribes in Burundi, Imelda's parents were killed when she was just three years old. People from the Hutu Tribe tried to kill her too. With wounds on her head and back, she was believed to be dead. A Hutu man rescued her and took her to the St. Therese of the Little Flower Orphanage where he knew the Sisters would protect her. Hutu and Tutsi soldiers would have killed them both had they been discovered.
Imelda arrived wounded and traumatized by the attempt on her life and narrow escape. She was kept under constant loving care. Initially, she hid all the time from other children and would not play. Through patient love and security provided by the Sisters, she began to eat, play and eventually go to school.
Five years later, her rescuer returned to the orphanage to inquire about her progress. Upon hearing the story of her rescue, Imelda wrapped her arms around him in a hug of gratitude for risking his own life to save hers. At the orphanage, the Sisters created a loving family environment that allowed the children to adopt a spirit of forgiveness for the pain caused by genocide. The children came from many different ethnic groups, yet they live as one big family without prejudice, shame or fear.
At the age of sixteen, Imelda was the first from the orphanage to pass the national exam and advance to high school. After completing high school, Imelda was also one of the first children in the orphanage to attend college. In 2016, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Imelda married her fiancé, Pacifique Ishingiro, a teacher at Ngozi University November 5, 2016. Imelda is shown below with their two children.
During the genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi Tribes in Burundi, Imelda's parents were killed when she was just three years old. People from the Hutu Tribe tried to kill her too. With wounds on her head and back, she was believed to be dead. A Hutu man rescued her and took her to the St. Therese of the Little Flower Orphanage where he knew the Sisters would protect her. Hutu and Tutsi soldiers would have killed them both had they been discovered.
Imelda arrived wounded and traumatized by the attempt on her life and narrow escape. She was kept under constant loving care. Initially, she hid all the time from other children and would not play. Through patient love and security provided by the Sisters, she began to eat, play and eventually go to school.
Five years later, her rescuer returned to the orphanage to inquire about her progress. Upon hearing the story of her rescue, Imelda wrapped her arms around him in a hug of gratitude for risking his own life to save hers. At the orphanage, the Sisters created a loving family environment that allowed the children to adopt a spirit of forgiveness for the pain caused by genocide. The children came from many different ethnic groups, yet they live as one big family without prejudice, shame or fear.
At the age of sixteen, Imelda was the first from the orphanage to pass the national exam and advance to high school. After completing high school, Imelda was also one of the first children in the orphanage to attend college. In 2016, she received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. Imelda married her fiancé, Pacifique Ishingiro, a teacher at Ngozi University November 5, 2016. Imelda is shown below with their two children.
Niyonsaba Imelda with her husband Pacifique Ishingiro
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Imelda with her two children
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Ngabirano Marc
On November 17, 2015, at the age of twenty-one, Ngabirano Marc passed away while being treated for malaria at the Kizi Health Center in Muyinga. Marc was a gifted high school student who will be remembered for his kindness.
On November 17, 2015, at the age of twenty-one, Ngabirano Marc passed away while being treated for malaria at the Kizi Health Center in Muyinga. Marc was a gifted high school student who will be remembered for his kindness.
In Loving Memory of Ngabirano Marc
Kamariza Esperance
Kamariza completed her vocational training in computer technology. She is married and is shown below with her two children and Sr. Pudentiana.
Kamariza completed her vocational training in computer technology. She is married and is shown below with her two children and Sr. Pudentiana.
Esperance with her two children visiting Sr. Pudentiana at STLFO.
Nizigiyimana Jean Claude, Kagabo Musa, Ntawubonavyose Edwin and
Sabiyaremye Jean de Dieu
Jean Claude, Musa, Edwin and Jean de Dieu graduated from vocational training in mechanics in 2018. For graduation gifts from STLFWM, they received materials to build their own homes. They are employed as mechanics.
Sabiyaremye Jean de Dieu
Jean Claude, Musa, Edwin and Jean de Dieu graduated from vocational training in mechanics in 2018. For graduation gifts from STLFWM, they received materials to build their own homes. They are employed as mechanics.
Jean Claude in front of his own home.
Edwin working as a mechanic.
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Musa building his own home.
Jean de Dieu fixing a car.
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Bigirimana Kevin and Niyonkuru Anania
Bigirimana Kevin and Niyonkuru Anania graduated from vocational training in tailoring in 2019. Both started their own businesses with financial gifts from their sponsors.
Bigirimana Kevin and Niyonkuru Anania graduated from vocational training in tailoring in 2019. Both started their own businesses with financial gifts from their sponsors.
Bigirimana Kevin's Tailoring Business
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Niyonkuru Anania's Tailoring Business
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Vyukusenge Theresa
Vyukusenge Theresa graduated high school in 2019, and married Nimubona Jackson, an elementary school teacher. Everyone from the orphanage attended the wedding.
Vyukusenge Theresa graduated high school in 2019, and married Nimubona Jackson, an elementary school teacher. Everyone from the orphanage attended the wedding.
Nibigira Diogen
Nibigira Diogen graduated from the University of Health Sciences Institute in 2020. He is shown below taking an oath as a new member of the medical profession after presenting his research work. He continued as as an intern at the hospital's health center. Diogen currently works as a pharmacist in Zambia.
Nibigira Diogen graduated from the University of Health Sciences Institute in 2020. He is shown below taking an oath as a new member of the medical profession after presenting his research work. He continued as as an intern at the hospital's health center. Diogen currently works as a pharmacist in Zambia.
Misigaro Dominico
Misigaro Dominico graduated from high school in August 2019. For graduation he received funds from his sponsor to build a house. He chose farming for his occupation.
Misigaro Dominico graduated from high school in August 2019. For graduation he received funds from his sponsor to build a house. He chose farming for his occupation.
Ndihokubwayo Joachim
Ndihokubwayo Joachim graduated high school in August 2020. For graduation he received a bike and funds from his sponsor to start his own kiosk business.
Ndihokubwayo Joachim graduated high school in August 2020. For graduation he received a bike and funds from his sponsor to start his own kiosk business.
Nzoyisenga Paul
Upon completion of his education, Nzoyisenga Paul received funds from his sponsor to start his own kiosk business. Paul made a profit within the first two months of operations.
Upon completion of his education, Nzoyisenga Paul received funds from his sponsor to start his own kiosk business. Paul made a profit within the first two months of operations.
Sindayigaya Jean Baptist
Jean Baptist graduated from college with a degree in Community Development in 2022. He opened his own business selling clothing.
Jean Baptist graduated from college with a degree in Community Development in 2022. He opened his own business selling clothing.
Ngendakumana Revocat
Revocat attended primary school until he had to flee to Rwanda as a refugee in 2015 due to a threat to his Batwa tribe. Revocat returned in 2021, and pursued training as a policeman. He is currently working as a police officer.
Revocat attended primary school until he had to flee to Rwanda as a refugee in 2015 due to a threat to his Batwa tribe. Revocat returned in 2021, and pursued training as a policeman. He is currently working as a police officer.
Benimana Aron
Aron graduated from college with a degree in Engineering in May 2023. Below is a photo of Aron presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Aron graduated from college with a degree in Engineering in May 2023. Below is a photo of Aron presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Dusabimana Claver
Claver graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science in May 2023. Below is a photo of Claver presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received a computer and printer.
Claver graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science in May 2023. Below is a photo of Claver presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received a computer and printer.
Habiyambere John Bosco
John Bosco graduated from college with a degree in Finance in 2023. Below is a photo of John Bosco presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received capital for his own farm.
John Bosco graduated from college with a degree in Finance in 2023. Below is a photo of John Bosco presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received capital for his own farm.
Ngendahayo Alex
Alex graduated from college with a degree in Telecommunications in May 2023. Below is a photo of Alex presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Alex graduated from college with a degree in Telecommunications in May 2023. Below is a photo of Alex presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Ngendakumana Emile
Emile graduated from college with a degree in Electronics in May 2023. Below is a photo of Emile presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Emile graduated from college with a degree in Electronics in May 2023. Below is a photo of Emile presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Irankunda Tierre
Tierre graduated from college with a degree in Community Development in May 2024. Below is a photo of Tierre presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Tierre graduated from college with a degree in Community Development in May 2024. Below is a photo of Tierre presenting his research paper. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Nsabimana Deogratias
Deogratias graduated from college with a degree in Medical Studies/Anesthesiology in May 2024. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
Deogratias graduated from college with a degree in Medical Studies/Anesthesiology in May 2024. As a graduation gift, he received funds to start his own business.
