Day 85 - From small beginnings: Aline’s story

Imagine for a minute that you were born into one of the world’s poorest countries. Married young, you had the first of six children at the age of 14. You experienced constant abuse at the hands of a violent husband who, years later, married another woman, forcing you to flee your home. Separated from your children, you ended up walking the streets, asking anyone for a place to sleep. Some showed you kindness, but many treated you with contempt.

This is the true story of Aline Nibogora, born and living today in Burundi, where malnourishment and poverty affect more than 70% of the population, making survival a daily struggle.

Fortunately for Aline, things then changed for the better, and it came from the most seemingly modest of beginnings. Aline was given the opportunity to take part in a transformative three-day community workshop. In this she was taught how to form a Village Savings and Loans Association and establish a steady income. From this she was able to get a small start-up loan and start trading avocados and peanuts locally. With her profits, she bought a bicycle so she could transport greater quantities of goods to markets further afield. Eventually, her hard work paid off, and she had earned the money she needed to rent a house.

With a roof over her head, she was able to provide a home for her three eldest children who had escaped their father. Today, Aline lives peacefully on her own plot of land in a remote village in the Kayogoro Commune in Makamba Province. She has been able to build a strong home for her and her children in every sense.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing; life in Burundi is often challenging. Ferocious storms destroyed her house, but with the stronger financial foundations she had established, and with her greater sense of confidence and purpose, Aline has been able to recover and rebuild.

Aline’s is a powerful story of resilience and hope. It is also the story of a life transformed by something seemly quite modest – a three-day community workshop.

That workshop was funded by Christian Aid. By working with local partners across Africa, south east Asia and Latin America, Christian Aid understands what support can be most effective and how this can be targeted and delivered. As Aline herself says:

“When we see Christian Aid, we feel comforted; we feel we are not alone. You helped us to change our poor living conditions. I really thank you from the very bottom of my heart.”

Next week is Christian Aid Week. May we be inspired by Aline’s story to focus on how we can give, act and pray to continue to support Christian Aid’s work.

Loving God,

Help us to hear the voices of those enduring extreme poverty.

It is hard to listen to stories of pain

Show us how compassion for others can bring healing and fullness of life for all.

Help us to understand that we are one through your love, for every human being is loved by you, beyond measure.

Loving God,

You call on us to build your kingdom of justice, mercy and truth.

It isn’t a task for the faint-hearted.

When we lose our sense of purpose, fill us with faith.

When we doubt or throw up our hands in despair, fill us with hope.

When we pass by our neighbour as though we did not know them,

Fill us with the love that turns us back and takes us to their aid.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(A prayer from Christian Aid for Christian Aid Week 2024.)

Philip Clarke

[Photo credits: Christian Aid/ Ndacayisaba Epitace]