From Trauma to Hope: Jeanne’s Story

“I thought I would never be able to feed my baby. But today, I can; and she is healthy.” Said  Jeanne

Jeanne Mugisha, a young girl from Burundi, endured sexual violence that led to pregnancy. Living with her mother in a small thatched house, she faced deep fear, shame, and later, the challenge of feeding her newborn.

When her case reached WiGLI, we stepped in with baby clothes, delivery support, and encouragement for her and her mother.

After birth, Jeanne struggled with low breast milk supply, and her mother without stable income, resorted to buying cow’s milk to keep the baby alive.

The trauma weighed heavily on Jeanne’s body and mind. That is when a community “Light Mother” began visiting regularly, offering counseling, nutrition advice, and emotional care.

With consistent support, Jeanne’s milk production recovered. Within a month, her baby was feeding freely and gaining healthy weight.

Today, Jeanne has regained her confidence, and her baby is thriving.

 Why It Matters

Sadly, Jeanne’s story is not unique. Sexual violence against children is a silent crisis in Burundi and worldwide.

  • Globally: 650 million women (1 in 5) and 1 in 7 men experienced sexual violence as children.
  • In Burundi: Nearly 1 in 4 women (23%) and 6% of men report having experienced sexual violence.
  • Recent data (2025): Over 478 cases of gender-based violence were reported in Burundi within six months — 172 of them involving children, most being rape cases.
  • The real numbers are likely much higher, as most cases go unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of services.

Burundi is making progress such as integrating GBV services into health care and training specialized support staff but many children still face violence in silence.

 How You Can Help

Jeanne’s recovery shows that timely care, counseling, and compassion can change lives.

By partnering with WiGLI, you can help more children and mothers receive:
✔ Life-saving medical and nutritional support
✔ Psychosocial counseling and emotional care
✔ Protection and dignity for survivors of violence

👉 Join us in restoring hope.

🌍 [Support WiGLI’s Work]

🙏 Thank you for walking with us in grace. Together, we can transform trauma into hope.