Honor • Duty • Respect - The Citadel

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Burundi found her way onto my world map through theman I now work for—Simon Guillebaud, the founder ofGreat Lakes Outreach, a small nonprofit organizationthat works with Christian partners to fund sustainable,life-changing projects for the people of the GreatLakes region in Central Africa. Simon was speaking atmy church in Charleston during my senior year at TheBurundi is a small African country whose name means“the other place.” Out of sight and out of mind,Rwanda’s little sister to the south was largely ignoredby the same international community that eventuallyput a stop to the Rwandan genocide. During the hiddenyears, Burundi suffered the same ethnic tensionsbetween the Hutu and Tutsi as Rwanda, and theBurundi is a small African country whose name means “theother place.” Out of sight and out of mind, Rwanda’s littlesister to the south was largely ignored by the same internationalcommunity that eventually put a stop to the Rwandan genocide.Citadel, and his first words changed my life forever. Iwas nearing the end of my cadet career and causingeveryone but myself anxiety because I didn’t know whatI was going to do after graduation. Somehow I justknew it would come together. Then Simon said, “I’mnot here to ask you to come to Burundi. In fact, I don’twant you to come… unless God calls you. Because Ido not want your blood on my hands if you come andyou’re not supposed to be there.”Unlike the others who listened to that same message, Iknew I was supposed to go. Not long after graduation,I was off for my first visit to Burundi, which was still inthe middle of a 17-year civil war.minority population of Batwa was altogether forgotten.When Simon moved to Burundi during the war, hefound a handful of Burundian visionaries who wantedto change a place most consider too difficult, toocorrupt and too complicated to make a difference.These Burundians recognized that they could notrely on outsiders to solve their own problems, sothey would make a difference themselves. And theydo it all—orphanages, schools, food and agricultureprograms, leadership classes, solidarity with the poor,reconciliation and trauma healing. After two visits,attending graduate school in the U.K. and reconnectingwith Simon, I moved to Burundi in 2009 to attempt to46 The Citadel 2011
fill his shoes as he traveled to help raise support forthe work here.My job is simply to serve those who are makingthe difference, connect them with the people andresources necessary to transform the country, andwhen possible, give away some of what I have learned.If “to whom much is given, much is expected,” then Irecognized that I have a great responsibility to use mygifts, skills and talents to make an impact on the worldaround me.Much of the developing world is dependent oninternational aid. We want to equip our partnersso they will eventually be able to support their ownwork financially, and the people doing these jobs willbe Burundians. We empower them, which creates asustainable future. Through social enterprises andprojects in which our partners own the vision, weknow that any changes made will endure. Sometimesthe job requires servant leadership and doing small,thankless tasks that contribute to a larger cause.Leadership, at its best, is simply service. It is notglamorous, but it is rewarding, especially when I knowI’ve contributed to something greater than myself.As a freshman at The Citadel, I would often reflecton how being at the bottom of the pile was teachingme how to do something without the expectation ofrecognition or praise. Then, as I worked my way upthrough the cadet chain of command, I realized thatthe higher the position, the greater the responsibilityand the more selfless service required. As ThirdBattalion Commander, it did not take long to see thatthough the position was high in the rank structure,it actually meant being a servant of many. I also sawhow every individual in that structure is vital. The jobat the top is pointless if those at the bottom fail todo their part. It would also be pointless if I failed torecognize their vital role and was unable to provideadequately for those at the bottom. And so it is withworking among the poorest of the poor in this world.Everyone wins when the poor are empowered.The unexpected part of living in Burundi is what I learnfrom the people around me. As I give away from mybank of education and experiences, I am also learningvaluable lessons only the poor and hurting can teach.One powerful example comes from the Burundianperseverance and ability to forgive after suffering theThe Citadel 2011 47
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