You may be familiar with Board Member, Michael Madison, and his long-time dedication to the Gazelle Foundation. He has worn many hats and held several roles over the past 15 years, but there is one role that you may not know as much about: the Gazelle Foundation’s unofficial Ambassador to Burundi.

Michael’s first trip to Burundi was transformational—one that solidified his commitment to the Foundation’s mission for years to come. After a total of eight trips in 15 years, Madison has proved his dedication by building relationships, monitoring water project progress and collecting data for the Foundation. His on-the-ground experiences have been invaluable.

“After your first trip to Burundi, it really becomes a part of you,” says Madison. “That's very much been true for me and for Tessa (Madison’s wife) and what we're hoping to do for our kids as well—just have a heart for a place where you hope you can help make a difference.”

An Eye-Opening Experience

It started in 2008 when Michael and a friend from church were both finishing up their graduate studies and figuring out what they wanted to do next. They wanted to travel somewhere to gain different world perspectives. ‘Expand their horizons’ so to speak. Since they were both members of Gilbert’s Gazelles training group, and they knew Gilbert’s personal story, the men chose to travel to Burundi.

A somewhat novice traveler at this point—only ever crossing the border into Mexico—Madison was excited to observe, interact with and learn about far away culture. Once in Burundi, he said it was like “traveling back in time.” He covered hundreds of square miles seeing villages with similar situations—few people had cars, homes didn’t have electricity, and of course, there was no indoor running water. “This was the first time I had seen poverty on a massive scale,” Madison recalls.

He met Gilbert’s mom at the house where Gilbert grew up. It amazed him to see the family still faced the same difficulties Gilbert had experienced while growing up—walking miles to get water and carrying it home for daily use.

Witnessing families living without simple conveniences, like running water in the home, made a lasting impression on Michael—one he wishes more people could experience in order to truly understand the importance of the Gazelle Foundation’s work. Creating easier access to clean water is the most basic and essential resource that can help lessen poverty in communities in Burundi. As a reminder of this concept, Gilbert often uses the common Burundian phrase: ‘Amazi ni Ubuzima’ or ‘Water is life.’