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Imuhira Heza
Imuhira Heza

About us

Our Story

Imuhira Heza exists because of Relationships and Faith.

Even as a young orphan, Boneko Bonaventure believed God loved him and would one day give him both an earthly father and a mission to care for widows and orphans. Far away in Canada, Rick, an art teacher with a heart for the world, had long sensed he was meant to be a “bridge” between people. When he met Boneko online during research into Burundi’s refugee crisis, he was struck by his humility, deep faith, and tireless service—despite having so little.

Though Boneko quietly wondered if Rick might be the father God had promised, Rick at first resisted. But through prayer, reflection, and their growing friendship, Rick sensed God saying yes. What began as two men sharing life and prayer across continents became a beautiful collaboration. They dreamed together, and soon the vision for Imuhira Heza—“Home of Majesty”—was born: a place where widows and orphans would live not just in safety, but with dignity, purpose, and love.

As support grew—including a spontaneous gift from Rick’s own son—Boneko laid the foundation, both literally and spiritually. Through gardens, generosity, and faith, the home began to rise. In 2022, two widows and thirteen orphans moved in as family. Over time, the ministry expanded, new homes were built, and even the government took notice.

Boneko’s own family grew too—with marriage, children, and adoption—all part of God’s unfolding story. What began as a boy’s simple faith became a shining light in Burundi, showing that in God’s Kingdom, we are truly at home when we are together in love.

Rick and Ossias
Boneko when he was teaching

The Vision of Imuhira Heza

Imuhira Heza is not an orphanage, it is a home for a family. So our hope is that Imuhira Heza be a Light to the nation of Burundi where all may see that orphans and widows no longer need live as such. Rather they can and should:
  • Have a home where their basic needs are met.
  • Thrive with dignity as mothers and children living together as family.
  • Grow to believe that through God, they can do all things, regardless of their own strength or weakness.
  • Contribute to their community through work and fellowship, thus sharing in the blessings of their Heavenly Father.

The Mission of Imuhira Heza

Imuhira Heza seeks to model the Heart of God for widows and orphans through the following:
  • Do everything prayerfully, trusting God to work mightily through the faithful offering of gifts, both large and small.
  • Form a team of partners within Burundi and beyond, whose hearts are aligned with God, and thus gladly desire to use their own blessings to bless others.
  • Build homes, starting with one in Bujumbura which includes both a secure house and outdoor space where both widows and orphans will live together in dignity.
  • Establish environments where God is worshiped in every aspect of life as the Father and Savior who desires to be known intimately.
  • Grow and live as disciples while teaching and guiding all mothers and children to also grow and live as disciples.
  • Provide basic needs to all in our care, such as food, clothing, education, healthcare, etc., assisting mothers to be able to adequately nurture the children, all the while encouraging creative ideas that work towards financial independence.
  • Eventually host volunteers from Burundi and beyond who can join us for the purpose of experiencing God’s Kingdom, through blessing others and receive blessing in return.

Beliefs and Values

COS-Burundi Statement of Belief

We believe that a Triune God created all things, including humanity which He made in His Image to be with Him. We believe that when humanity chose their own desires over union with God, they separated themselves from their Source of Life, thus ultimately choosing death.

We believe that Jesus, the Divine Son of God, came down to earth as the promised Messiah, and through His death and resurrection alone can humans be reconciled to God and once again live together with Him in His Eternal Kingdom.

We believe that we can be in God’s Kingdom even now when we live as Jesus did – gladly serving our community with love and kind compassion, so that others to may also know Jesus intimately and enter into the Kingdom of God.

COS-Burundi Core Values

Imuhira Heza values these Godly virtues:

  1. To hold fast to Prayer and reading of Scripture as a foundational way of honouring God, interceding for others, and seeking wisdom and guidance.
  2. To Remember and Declare the Lordship and Power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit over all accomplishments and trials, and also our own role as stewards and disciples.
  3. To Recognize and Celebrate all people, regardless of age, gender, tribe, race, nationality, wealth, or status, as Created Equally in the Image of God and worthy of both receiving and giving blessings to others.
  4. To encourage and empower those in need to grow beyond dependence to a place of enjoying the dignity of being contributing members of society.
  5. To act with Honesty and Transparency in all communications and interactions with everyone in all instances.
  6. To work in Collaboration with all groups whom God connects us with, thus upholding Love and Unity always.
  7. To model Forgiveness and Confession as God’s way of resolving conflict with humble Reconciliation.

Boneko's Testimony

I was born Feb. 2, 1994 in Burundi, to Euphraim NTIRAMPEBA and Siphorian MINANI, but before I was born, my parents divorced and my father died, leaving my widowed mother to raise her 2 orphaned sons, in poverty, hated and rejected by my father’s family.

Apple of the Eyes

My name is Boneko, which means “Apple of the Eyes.” My mother gave me that name after my father died and left her to raise me and my brother alone. We were poor and rejected, but she spoke life over me, saying, “You are the apple of our nation’s eyes—you will be a light to the nations.”

From early on, I felt a deep desire to care for widows and orphans like us. One day, when a kind man from France offered to help, I didn’t ask for food—I asked for school fees. I believed that if I could study, I could learn how to help others. When I was baptized, I promised God I would give my life to this mission.

After years of prayer and studying—through school, university, YWAM, and Bible college—God kept opening doors. I used my salary to serve those in need, not to build wealth. Some people didn’t understand that choice, but I kept trusting the One who called me.

Then God did something amazing: He connected me with a new family in Canada. With their love and support, we began building Imuhira Heza—Home of Majesty—a place where widows and orphans can live with dignity, joy, and hope.

I believe God’s heart beats for the vulnerable. He calls us to show His love in practical ways. Thank you for listening to that call and for caring about the people of Burundi. We’re seeing beauty rise here—and I’m so grateful you’re part of it.

House of Majesty

Since I have used my education to serve the poor and not gain wealth, some people have rejected me and my way of living. Also growing up without a father, I experienced rejection because of having no status in society. But my Father God has given me another family in Canada, and with them, we have begun building IMUHIRA HEZA, which means: Home of Majesty. Together we prayed and were given this name, and together we have laid the foundation for the home.

God loves the widows and orphans as His Bride and as His Children, and He wants to show this to the people of my nation, Burundi. I praise HIM that you have listened to His Heart and are considering supporting His Work in our beautiful nation that He is healing and bringing into His Kingdom.

Thank you. 

Boneko BONAVENTURE

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