Mrs. Bahati Sitakis is a mother, a business woman and a community leader. But, growing up, people told her she was a curse. She was abandoned by her parents and later, her husband. She was full of hopelessness and despair. But now, thanks to you, Bahati’s experienced an incredible transformation. She’s confident, driven and has big plans for the future.
“Before Cord’s project came to my village, my life felt hopeless. Some days, I had no idea how I would feed my children. When desperation hit, I found myself begging in the streets and markets, hoping to get just enough to survive. I often asked myself, ‘Why did God create me like this?’”
Many of us go through difficult times. We can find ourselves questioning God and wondering about the purpose of our lives. It can feel very lonely and difficult to see a way out. But few of us grew up in a country as poor as Burundi, where civil war, violence and conflict cast such a dark shadow over every aspect of life.
Bahati was disabled from birth. Because her legs didn’t work, she moved using her hands. Rather than admiring her incredible determination, people rejected her, claiming she was a curse. Neighbours told Bahati’s parents that she was the reason their plants always failed. The pressure became too much for them. Instead of defending their daughter, Bahati’s parents decided to leave without her. They moved to Tanzania, and Bahati was left behind to fend for herself.
Hope and heartbreak
Later, when conflict forced Bahati and thousands of others to move to another part of the country, something wonderful happened. She met a man who took care of her. They fell in love and built a life together. They were married and had 4 children. Bahati felt as though her hardest days were in the past. But, after 10 years, with his relatives insisting that it was shameful to be married to a disabled woman and that she couldn’t offer anything useful, Bahati’s husband abandoned her. Tragically, she was left to face the world alone once more.
A lifeline in the midst of despair
Bahati had no option but to return to her home village. Survival was a daily battle. She felt invisible and unwanted. Then, Cord’s project arrived with support groups and access to small loans; made possible by your faithful prayers and donations.
“That was the moment my life started to change. I joined the group and began learning about savings, credit, and community service.”
Small loans, big dreams
At first, Bahati borrowed 30,000 francs (around £15) to start selling cassava flour at the market. It wasn’t much, but it was the beginning of something bigger. Encouraged by her progress, she later took out a loan of 100,000 francs (around £48) and expanded into palm oil production and making doughnuts. Bahati had gone from struggling to feed her children and begging on the streets, to the security of a steady income, access to credit and saving regularly.
Bahati began to heal from the discrimination and rejection she’d suffered. In time, she took part in community work, supporting married couples who had difficulties in their relationships. She had been the victim of hate and conflict but was now a source of hope and peace.
Embracing the future with confidence
Today, Bahati and her family are in a much better place. She no longer feels like a burden. She’s a provider, a businesswoman, and a leader in her own right. But she’s not stopping here.
“In the future, I plan to take out a substantial loan to open my own food shop.”
Your generosity means that Bahati and her children are looking to the future with confidence. She has always been strong and courageous, but now she has a fair chance at life. Her story is only just beginning!
