Trained healthcare professionals are critically scarce across many parts of Africa, a reality that is even more severe in remote villages such as Rwenena in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Life expectancy in the country remains low, and maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world. In Rwenena, access to healthcare is extremely limited—there is only a small clinic that operates on a restricted basis and lacks even a single hospital bed. For families like Claudine’s, who now live in rural Burundi, vulnerability remains a daily reality, with no financial means to support her medical training.

Despite these challenges, Claudine is on the cusp of completing her final year of practical training at a teaching hospital that serves more than 40,000 patients from surrounding rural communities. This placement provides invaluable hands-on experience and perfectly aligns with her calling to return and serve underserved villages like Rwenena as a nurse. Her journey has already made a profound impression on her community. At a recent General Assembly, local leaders described Claudine as someone who brings a new level of distinction and hope to Rwenena—proof that investment in education can transform not only individual lives, but entire communities.

Claudine’s success is already inspiring the next generation. Young people in her village now see new possibilities for their own futures; one such example is Vencianne, previously profiled and now in secondary school, who has set her sights on becoming a doctor. Through Claudine’s example, children who once saw only limitations are beginning to imagine lives of purpose and service.

While it is impossible to predict how many future medical professionals Rwenena may produce, Claudine’s journey demonstrates a powerful truth: individuals who once lived in deep vulnerability can become agents of healing and progress within their communities and beyond. Through Claudine’s story, we see how education, opportunity, and perseverance can help break cycles of poverty and bring lasting hope to some of the world’s most underserved communities.

Want to get involved? Make a donation, create a fundraiser or consider sending this article to your friends. If your friends tell their friends, who tell their friends – that’s a whole lot of friends. So, join us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and share our latest stories, blogs and posts. Your support and sharing our story with your friends helps us achieve our mission. Answer the call today and fulfill Jesus’ mandate to be in mission.