Bisibo's Dream
When we arrived at the school, the children ran to greet us with flowers and wide smiles. We hadn’t met before, but they welcomed us like old friends.
Their warmth made sense once we met Bisibo. She leads the IQRA education center for children with hearing impairments. As we walked through classrooms and gardens, she stopped to fix a collar here, a sleeve there—her care unmistakable.
Most of the students were in exams, but they paused to greet us with cheerful signs. We did our best to reply. The connection needed no words.
Photo by Ömer Çam from Burundi on November 6, 2024
Later, we sat with Bisibo in the garden. Years ago, she learned sign language to bridge a gap she saw growing. What started as a personal mission became a place where children not only learn—but belong.
Many of the children here had been overlooked or left behind. At IQRA, they are seen, supported, and surrounded by people who believe in them.
Today, thanks to the support of Time of Goodness, Bisibo’s school is able to welcome more students with hearing impairments. From sign language education to psychosocial care and access to daily meals, each child receives not just support—but the chance to grow in a place where they feel safe, seen, and valued.
Photo by Ömer Çam from Burundi on November 6, 2024
We stayed for dinner that evening. The garden was decorated like a celebration, and the joy was real. We shared food, laughter, and short conversations in sign language. The children beamed every time we tried. That little effort meant something.
Before we left, Bisibo shared a few of the children’s stories. Some had no family. Some had been abandoned. All had found a second chance here. What she has built is more than a school—it’s a lifeline.