Burundi Development Initiatives

About Us

Burundi Development Initiatives (BDI) is a nonprofit founded by Burundian natives residing in the United States (USA). who are dedicated to giving back to their homeland. Working with local leaders, they focus on Community Empowerment, Investment Advocacy, Workforce Training, entrepreneurship and Education to drive sustainable development in Burundi.

Vision

To contribute to the eradication of poverty in Burundi through a sustainable socio-economic development.

Mission

To help achieve a sustainable socio-economic development of Burundi through the promotion of investments, Industry - On - Demand skills training, fundraising efforts, and partnership with other resource providers.

Core Values

Accountability: Each board member, officer, and employee of BDI is responsible for accomplishing the tasks he/she is assigned to.

Integrity and respect: We conduct ourselves in a manner that demonstrates a sense of integrity towards our partners and colleagues. We acknowledge our differences in skills, personalities, traits, or opinions, and we pledge to be respectful as we interact with one another.

Teamwork: Our tasks are better accomplished if we work together and take advantage of our diverse expertise and experiences.

Inclusiveness: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, or ethnicity.

Community interest: The interest of the community we serve will always take precedence in all operational and strategic decisions we make.

Board of Directors

Selerin Ntahitagabira, CGMA, MBA

Chairman

Chief Financial Officer, CRCD South Los Angeles

Treasurer, Rainbow Humanitarian Caretaker Foundation

Commissioner, Cibitoke Diaspora Network

Anaclet Bampema, RN

Vice-Chairman and Treasurer

Burundian-American healthcare and community leadership advocate

Registered Nurse (RN), Jacksonville, Florida

Desire Manirakiza

Secretary

Civil engineering and infrastructure expert

Project Manager – Road & Bridge Projects

Field Engineer – Tunnel Finishes, Massachusetts

Dr. Jean-Baptiste Hajayandi

Director and Former Chair

African and World History Scholar

Adjunct Assistant Professor of African and World History

Diomede Misigaro Richard

Director

Burundi Team

Epitace Rurimwishiga

Deputy-President and Deputy Legal Representative

Development and Finance Professional

Former Senior Banking Professional, Ameriprise Financial and US Bank

Former Research Contributor, UNESCO-BREDA

Sylvane Bizimana

President of the Supervisory Council

Senior Legal Professional & Career Magistrate

Head of Litigation Department, BBCI

Former Justice Inspector (Judicial Oversight & Institutional Risk)

Naphtal Hicuburundi

Member of the Monitoring Committee

Public Health & Humanitarian Professional

Former Provincial Secretary, Burundi Red Cross (Cibitoke)

Former Technical Advisor, Provincial HIV/AIDS Committee

Bernard Simbahwanya

Executive Assistant and Project Manager

Communication, Public Relations & Media Professional

Former Public Relations Officer, Olivia University Bujumbura

Former Journalist & Media Executive

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