Justine Tuyisenge, a 22-year-old mother of two, fled Burundi in 2015 due to her religious beliefs. At the time, Burundi was on the brink of presidential elections, and as a Jehovah’s Witness, Justine’s faith prohibited political participation. The government’s increasing hostility toward her religious group forced her and her family to seek refuge in Tanzania.

Now, nearly a decade later, Justine is preparing to return to Burundi after changing her faith. She dreams of rebuilding her life by farming, providing food for her family, selling her produce, and saving enough to send her children back to school.

This year, thanks to AIRD, her long-held wish to return home is finally a reality. The organization made the journey back to Burundi possible, allowing her to return to the place she cherishes and has missed so dearly. She says this homecoming would never have been possible without AIRD’s support. Now, as she steps back onto her homeland, Justine is filled with hope for a new beginning—one where she can work the land, feed her family, and build a brighter future for her children