Ange in an interview with STELP
STELP: Why don’t you briefly introduce yourself. Who are you and in which country are you working with STELP?
Ange: How do you do? My name is Ange Muyubira. I am the founder and CEO of Kaz’O’zah Keza (Kaz’O’zah for short) – a grassroots organization in beautiful Burundi, East Africa. We provide business development services to underserved communities.
STELP: How did your club come to work with STELP?
Ange: Kaz’O’zah met STELP in May 2024 through a joint partner: Stiftung Entwicklungszusammenarbeit Baden-Württemberg – SEZ. We visited flooded areas in Burundi along Lake Tanganyika, where communities had been struggling with heavy rains and the resulting flooding for 5 months. Burundi lies at the mouth of the 120 km long Rusizi catchment area. Massive flooding occurs there during every rainy season.
STELP: What do you do full-time?
Ange: Kaz’O’zah Keza has been my pride and joy since its inception in 2015. As the founder, it is my job to ensure that our work expands, is impactful and relevant to Burundian communities. This kind of work does not come with a salary, but with the daily reward of making a difference in the lives of my fellow countrymen.
STELP: What is your personal motivation for doing what you do?
Ange: “Kaz’O’zah” means future in Kirundi – the language spoken in Burundi. I believe that my country has a bright future ahead of it and I want to be a part of it.
STELP: Which part of your project means the most to you and why?
Ange: Unfortunately, Burundi is very used to humanitarian work due to decades of crises. In these times, some communities lose everything and break apart. Kaz’O’zah believes that the people affected can heal through the power of social cohesion. By helping such communities to resume their economic activities, they are taking the step towards rebuilding their fragile community fabric and broken social bonds.
STELP: Do you have a life motto?
Ange: There are no problems – only opportunities to get creative.
