Burundi BHAG

BHAG – Pronounced BEE-hag

Attended a company retreat this week focusing on this question, “What is our company’s BHAG?”  BHAG, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, is defined as a strategic business statement which is created to focus an organization on a single medium-long term organization-wide goal which is audacious, likely to be externally questionable, but not internally regarded as impossible.  The primary example given was John F. Kennedy’s statement in 1962 that the U.S. would put a man on the moon and bring him back again by the end of the decade.

Great discussion regarding our company’s BHAG but it got me thinking, if I’m a young kid in Burundi what’s my BHAG?  My wife and I recently received letters from two boys we have supported since 2007 that may give you some insight.  But first, some history.

My first mission trip brought my son, 16 at the time, and me to Burundi where we met Simon, the mastermind behind the Tour du Burundi, and Freddy Tuyizere, Burundi’s National Director of Youth for Christ, the organization that built the Gitega International Academy, the school for which we are riding.

Standing, in 2007, with Simon and Freddy on a site with just a few buildings built of a future orphanage - Gitega Homes of Hope, and a future school - Future Hope School, they told me they needed a huge sum of money to complete the two projects. I don’t remember the exact amount needed, however, my thought was, honestly, no way will that kind of money flow into Burundi.  But that was me limiting God and men of faith like Simon and Freddy.

Now, not only has Gitega Homes of Hope Orphanage and Future Hope School been completed and operating for years, under Freddy’s direction and with Simon’s support the Gitega International Academy was completed in 2012.  Seeing how these men get things done and honor the resources given to them is one of the reasons I support them and have signed on for the Tour du Burundi.  It’s why I feel comfortable asking for support to help the new Gitega International Academy.

So getting back to my question, if I’m a young kid in Burundi what’s my BHAG?  The letters from Thacien and Elise`, expressing their hope for the future, are really no different than what we wanted as kids, the difference being they were born in Burundi, and most of you reading this were born in a “first-world” country.  If you asked them, I’m not sure if they would tell you their hopes expressed in these letters are their BHAG, but I can tell you they need to attend a well-funded secondary school to keep their hopes alive.  Please read these letters then consider clicking here to donate.

Praise the Lord,

This is Thacien, I am glad to have this opportunity to tell you how grateful I am for everything that you have done for me. Thank you very much for being my friend and keeping close to your heart all this time.

I am 12 years old and will be making 13 on the 11^th of July. I am in grade six which is the final year of primary school. I am so excited to get through this year and join secondary school. I hope to join Gitega International Academy next year and there is too much study going on, so I and all my brothers and sisters in grade six are working as hard as we can. Being the oldest, I have a big responsibility to produce the best since all my younger brothers and sisters are looking up to me and I also would not like to let down everyone’s expectation. Actually no one is telling me this but I just have the feeling, I mean if you understand what I am trying to say.

I enjoy all the games we play at the orphanage with the kids, but my best are football and hula hooping. Sometimes we watch a movie in the evening which is so refreshing from all the studies and the chores.

When I grow up I hope to become a pastor and a very good football player.

I hope to write to you again and I will always pray that the Lord will continue blessing you. I hope you are doing okay. Send my greetings to all your family and friends.

Oh and just the last thing, if you ever get to feel scared and worked up, or overwhelmed by a certain fear, always tell your heart out loud that “it is well” as many times as you can be able to believe it. I always use it and it works. I love you so much.

Your friend always Thacien,

Gitega Homes of Hope.

Praise God,

I am called Elise`, and I am over joyed to be writing to you. Thank you very much for all the help you send me and for keeping me close to you heart all the time. You are a good friend.

I am in grade five and I am 10 years old. I will be making 11 this April on the 12^th. Back at the orphanage everyone is fine and I am doing alright. At school we are studying harder than ever because we are semi candidates. But when am not studying, I play football with my brothers at the orphanage and some girls and sometimes I make toy cars or play halu hooping which is a new game Hayley taught us.

My best meals at home are when we have meat, and I also enjoy the days for watching movies.

When I grow up I want to become a pastor and also play great footballer.

Thank you again, I love you so much. Send my greetings to all your friends and family

Your friend Elise`,

Gitega Home of Hope.

In a word, humbling.  I read these letters and am so thankful that my wife and I get to support Thacien and Elise`.  One of the major takeaways from the 2007 Burundi trip was simply that there is life happening on the other side of the planet.  May seem silly but suddenly Burundi was no longer a spot on a map.  Burundi is people, Simon, Freddy, Thacien, Elise`, and all the other people we encountered, living life just like we do. Children dream just like ours.  I love looking at the moon and thinking about my friends over there and when I’m in Africa I look at the moon and think of my friends over here.  It’s just a way for me to connect with the people I care about.

I’m not expecting any of you to sign up for monthly support for a couple of African kids but I am asking you to donate to the Gitega International Academy which will give generations of children a chance to accomplish their BHAG.  Give and then start looking at the moon knowing you too have a connection with people, literally, on the other side of the world.  Go on, give it a shot.  It’s a great feeling!