Due to Positive Outcomes the Summit is No Longer Unknown in Burundi

The Global Leadership Summit has grown to reach more than 123 countries, serving more than 300,000 people outside the United States. One little-known fact is that the Summit takes place in more than 50 percent of the world’s poorest countries, which is one of the main reasons the Global Leadership Network seeks to raise funds each year.

I see the great future of this nation through Summit. God is using it to change my nation!

Burundi, located in Africa, is one of those countries. A small, poverty-stricken nation, Burundi is one of the five poorest countries in the world. The evidence for their hunger for better leadership and transformation can be seen in their testimonies of life change and the images we receive of their venues overflowing with thousands of people traveling for miles to learn together.

Isaiah Nshimirimana, who helps lead the Summit team in Burundi, talked with several attendees to discover the impact that it has made on their lives. “The Global Leadership Summit is no longer an unknown event in our country,” said Isaiah. “Since 2013, we’ve been training leaders in three provinces, and we hope to grow into more provinces in the future. This last year, even amidst a worldwide pandemic, we were still able to host events—we praise God for his hand upon our activities. In 2021, we already have three scheduled Summit events in Ngozi, Bujumbura and Gitega! Thank you again for supporting Burundi. I see the great future of this nation through Summit. God is using it to change my nation!”

Be inspired by just a few of the stories from those who attended The Global Leadership Summit in Burundi 2020.

I have come to understand that giving brings blessings.

I realized something special at the GLS—we have a little time to spend in this world and our possessions are not our own. We must share them with others. Since I learned this, I have been able to share what I have with the community. So far, I have given away sixty rabbits and fifteen chickens. And the person to whom I give a livestock keeps 50% of the crop and shares the rest to another person and he starts breeding. The offspring continue to be exchanged because my wish is to see every member of the community with a livestock from my farm. That is my vision and will be my joy to see it accomplished!

My name shall not be forgotten in the heart of those I helped with my possessions. I have come to understand that giving brings blessings, and since I began to give, I have not lost except receiving blessings. I urge my co-workers and others to understand that what we have is not ours, but it is to be shared with others. Here on earth we are travelers, so we will be remembered for the impact we made in someone’s life. When I came to GLS for the first time, I was alone, but this time I invited five people to attend. My wish is that all my neighbors of the village attend the GLS! I urge you to share these teachings as often as possible throughout the year to reach more people, thank you.

– Vyumvuhore Eric Prosper, a cattle-breeder in Gitega province, Burundi

If I had missed the GLS training, I would have missed the harvest we have now.

The lessons I learned from the GLS helped me in all aspects of my life. One of the things I decided to do was make a change in my home. When you have a vision, you do as much as you can step by step. So, in practice my wife and I started buying chickens. They grew and multiplied. Then we sold them to buy small animals. After that we sold some of the animals and started to open a shop where we sell milk and bread, and now we have recently bought cows and farm. Now I see that our goal will be achieved very soon! If I had missed the GLS training, I would have missed a lot and I would miss the harvest we have now. I would like to ask that this training will be taken to as many leaders as possible in different parts of the country!

– Ndabarushimana Jean Claude, Principal of Future Hope School in Gitega, Burundi

We are now helping the community…

The birth of my business was inspired by the lessons learned from the GLS in 2018. Realizing that everyone is a leader, and everyone has influence, we decided to build a team to create packaging. Now the work is growing—we started with two but now we have about ten employees working with us. When we heard the presidential decree banning the use of bags, we found ourselves contributing to make biodegradable packaging to protect the environment. We are now helping the community by providing them with the packaging they need. We have now started the process of producing recycled paper and the harvest is increasing significantly.

– Nsengiyumva Emmanuel, CEO of EcoVision in Gitega, Burundi

Now people put trust in me.

I have been motivated by many of the teachings, but I was especially helped by the teaching of Vanessa Van Edwards. I realized I always welcomed people the wrong way. But today I take time to talk to them so as they feel welcomed while I am serving them. Now people put trust in me. I have a goal to go far in development and to also teach others what I have learned.

– Ngendakumana Simeon, an electronics specialist, Burundi

Now I understand what it means to be a good leader and to bring about change.

During the GLS, I realized I was either a consumer or a giver of bribery. Then I realized its negative consequences to the economy and decided to flee from it. Now I understand what it means to be a good leader and to bring about change. Before I thought that the leaders are those who have certain positions like legislator, governor, headmaster, etc. We did not value ourselves as leaders because we did not understand our worth. But now I understand I am a leader and I have influence in the community and at the workplace. I have now begun to show my true identity as a Christian. Being at the GLS helped me a lot because I met other people who worked in different fields and then we talked and exchanged ideas that helped us. We recommend the GLS to spread this knowledge and reach out to those who have not yet reached it!

– Ntakirutimana Elade, a trader in Gitega market, Burundi

I changed many things where I work, and people trust me more.

The GLS showed me how to bring about change in my community—and it starts with integrity. I realized there are not many leaders of integrity in the community. So, I changed many things where I work, and people trust me more. I also realized the way leaders treat others and cares about them is meaningful and has a great impact on business as well.

– Ndayikengurutse Révocat, an electronics engineer & church elder in Burundi

I realized that in order to get far, you must have a well-built vision…

The GLS was a learning place for me. I realized that in order to get far, you must have a well-built vision and share it with your co-workers. Before I came to the GLS, I was doing everything, and I was tired. The staff was also afraid of me. But since I came to the GLS, I take time for my staff and discuss our vision. I learned to delegate tasks and trust my team. Today, the employees are happy, and the activities are going well!

– Sister Antoinette, leader of a militant sister’s congregation in Gitega, Burundi

…you can start a little thing which will grow step by step and become big one.

Attending the GLS has opened my eyes. I realize that you can start a little thing which will grow step by step and become big one.

– Ndayizeye Protais, doctor in Ruyigi, Burundi

I realized a true leader is someone who helps people.

Since I started putting Horst Schulze’s GLS lessons into practice, my business clients continue to bring me others because they see me as a true servant of God. As a Pastor, I also apply these teachings to the church. I receive people who come to me because I understand everyone is valuable. I realized a true leader is someone who helps people.

– Nizigiyimana Celestin, Pastor at Baptiste Libre Church in Gitega, Burundi

The way I’ve organized my work makes me more efficient and effective.

I am the head of a department with a larger number of students at Ngozi University. I am very over-loaded, but thanks to GLS, I have learned methods and strategies to organize my work well. I have learned to delegate my responsibilities and the job turns into a success! The way I’ve organized my work makes me more efficient and effective, and I also find time to rest. I will be GLS’s ambassador so others may experience it as well!

– Nyandwi André, professor at University of Ngozi & dean of the Faculty of Law, Burundi

Today, I can spend my free time and rest with my family.

The teachings have been of great benefit to me in my work as a trader. I realized I was running at a high pace. Even the employees couldn’t keep up with my pace. This resulted in endless complaints in the workplace. After learning from Michael Todd about right pace, I took the time to discuss it with my husband and we understood the importance of slowing our pace, and it was easily adopted by everyone. Since I started to put this concept into practice, we are on good terms with everyone—the employees are comfortable at work and productivity has increased. Today, I can spend my free time and rest with my family—this was not so before I participated in the GLS! I am ready to pay for my children to participate in the next GLS so that they can grow up with excellent knowledge. I thank GLS once again for its quality teachings.

– Minani Bernardine, a woman trader in Ngozi, Burundi

I changed my way of leading and decided to become a role model.

Before I came to the GLS, I was only giving orders to my employees. I couldn’t even follow some of the orders I gave. I was often late for work and was not a role model for others. But after the GLS teachings, I learned a good leader is an example to others. I changed my way of leading and decided to become a role model. This has increased productivity by 50%! I then made the decision to be humble in front of the employees because by being humble, more becomes possible. Those I lead have started to respect me instead of fearing me.

– Anonymous attendee, Burundi

I don’t want to be a leader by name—I want to be a leader by deeds.

I gained more leadership skills and I feel more confident in myself. Now in all my endeavors, I am striving to be very faithful, because when you are a leader you need to watch over your life to be a role model.

I realized being a leader is not the same as being a boss. Rather it means that you are entrusted with the responsibility to serve others. By doing so, love must be the supreme guide. Sometimes, people can accept your leadership by fear and not by conviction. I don’t want to be a leader by name—I want to be a leader by deeds.

– Niyonzima Aline, Legal Representative of Sabaoth Church

My heart is at peace and my body is fresh.

I was in a difficult situation. I was about to die of work before I attended the GLS. I used to return home late and I find my children already sleeping. I used to go to work even on my days off. On Sunday, before going to church, I would first go to my office and work for a while. My days were full of disorder. I thank God for the teachings at the GLS, for I have changed. I use my time well and give to each activity its time. The work that cannot be finished today, I continue it the next day, so that I can have rest and special time with my family. My heart is at peace and my body is fresh. I can return to work with significant results. I am also teaching my colleagues what I learned in GLS.

– Enock, a leader of a logistic department in Burundi

If you have donated above and beyond the cost of registration to attend one of our leadership events, you have been a part of making these stories a reality. Thank you! To find out how to get more involved with the ministry arm of the Global Leadership Network, go to GlobalLeadership.org/Give.