Greetings, friends and supporters of THARS! We at THARS International are in a time of change, as we transition away from a legal nonprofit to the more informal “Friends of THARS.” Please read the information below to learn about our transition process over 2020, and to connect with Word Made Flesh, the new partners of THARS Burundi. HISTORY OF THE TRANSITION Since John Braun’s retirement in 2018 we have been prayerfully discerning our next steps as an organization. Feeling a sense of commitment to continue supporting THARS Burundi, but struggling with our limited capacity as a small, volunteer board, we’ve explored ways we might continue to exist in the future. Over the past year, we’ve been in conversation with Clint Baldwin at Word Made Flesh and David Niyonzima at THARS Burundi about a possible merger. These conversations culminated in a multi-organizational visit to Burundi in October 2019, in which THARS Burundi became an official community of WMF. You can visit the new website here . This merger ensures that THARS Burundi maintains an ongoing American-based partnership, including administrative and website support and a pathway for tax-exempt donations. (We are especially pleased to note that WMF has a platinum seal from GuideStar and operates with minimal overhead costs.) On the ground, very little has changed for THARS Burundi— they will now receive our financial support via WMF and they are called “WMF- Burundi” in WMF circles.
Transcript
Greetings, friends and supporters of THARS!
We at THARS International are in a time of change, as we transition away from a legal nonprofit to the more informal “Friends of THARS.” Please read the information below to learn about our transition process over 2020, and to connect with Word Made Flesh, the new partners of THARS Burundi.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSITIONSince John Braun’s retirement in 2018 we have been prayerfully discerning our next steps as an organization. Feeling a sense of commitment to continue supporting THARS Burundi, but struggling with our limited capacity as a small, volunteer board, we’ve explored ways we might continue to exist in the future. Over the past year, we’ve been in conversation with Clint Baldwin at Word Made Flesh and David Niyonzima at THARS Burundi about a possible merger. These conversations culminated in a multi-organizational visit to Burundi in October 2019, in which THARS Burundi became an official community of WMF. You can visit the new website here. This merger ensures that THARS Burundi maintains an ongoing American-based partnership, including administrative and website support and a pathway for tax-exempt donations. (We are especially pleased to note that WMF has a platinum seal from GuideStar and operates with minimal overhead costs.) On the ground, very little has changed for THARS Burundi— they will now receive our financial support via WMF and they are called “WMF-Burundi” in WMF circles.
David (founder of THARS), Jocelyn (Executive Director of THARS), and Clint (Executive Director of WMF)
CHANGES FOR THARS INTERNATIONALFor us at THARS International, however, much more has changed. We are in the midst of dissolving as a 501(c)(3), which will significantly reduce our administrative burdens. In late spring 2020 we will move our funds and donation pathways to WMF and close our accounts. Despite these changes, however, we are more committed than ever to remaining close partners and supporters to THARS Burundi and the work of trauma healing and peace. We think of ourselves now as informal “Friends of THARS” (more on this below) and plan to continue fundraising, praying, visiting, and maintaining relationship with our dear friends in Burundi. We are tentatively planning another work camp to Burundi in 2021 or 2022, organized by WMF, and we are excited to invest in both old and new relationships. If you are interested in joining this work camp, please see the details below.
CHANGES FOR SUPPORTERSFor you, as a supporter of THARS Burundi, a few small things have changed that require action on your part. We ask for your patience and commitment during this transition.
First, please shift your donation process to WMF. There are a number of ways to give directly to THARS Burundi (by check, credit card, or paypal) or to WMF generally. These resources continue to be a crucial piece of THARS Burundi’s operations, supplementing their larger grants and providing stability through various seasons.
Credit Card: Give a one-time or recurring donation to THARS Burundi through the WMF Burundi donation page.PayPal: Give one-time or recurring donations to WMF via PayPal, and note in the comment box that the funds are for Burundi.Check: Send a check to WMF and note in the memo line that the funds are for Burundi. Mailing address: P.O. Box 70, Wilmore, KY., 40390.Amazon Smile: Make WMF your Amazon Smile page. Learn more about Amazon Smile here.Questions: Please reach out to David Chronic, WMF Director of Operations, at [email protected].
Second, please sign up for the WMF newsletter and quarterly magazine (The Cry). This is an important way to get to know the WMF community, as well as hear updates about THARS Burundi. David has written a piece in the upcoming issue of The Cry that you won’t want to miss.
For more information about Word Made Flesh, visit their website here.To review the THARS Burundi page on Word Made Flesh, visit the website here.
Third, please join Friends of THARS. This informal group of folks who love THARS Burundi (past board members, work camp participants, friends of David, you!) will occasionally gather under the leadership of Anita Stokes. If you would like to be part of this team (no particular commitment expected), please email Anita ([email protected]) with your interest.
Additionally, we plan to organize a work camp to visit Burundi in 2021 and to continue deepening our relationships with THARS. If you are interested in joining or financially supporting this work camp, please email David Chronic ([email protected]).
Finally, please continue to pray for THARS Burundi, the important work they are doing, and for this transition. Our board is trusting the Spirit to guide this transition and bring stability in the midst of change. We are committed to an ongoing relationship with THARS Burundi, and trust that this transition will allow us to be more present and better able to partner.
David and Felicity, outside their home in Bujumbura.
A WORD FROM DAVID NIYONZIMAFinally, we wanted to share a few words from David Niyonzima, founder of THARS Burundi:
Dear Supporters, For almost two decades, Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services (THARS) has been promoting psychosocial approaches to rebuilding Burundi communities after ethnic related atrocities. We are so grateful for the support that THARS International has given to reinforce those approaches and implement them. Those approaches include initiatives such as the Alternative to Violence Program, Cross-Cultural Work Campus, Water Filters manufacturing workshops, etc. In 2019, we combined our history and expertise with Word Made Flesh International to become WMF-Burundi. Through this new partnership, we hope you will continue to join us to realize our vision and mission. Your encouragement, financial support and prayers have been valuable over the years and we look forward to your continued care. Thank you for believing in our cause. – David Niyonzima
A FINAL THANK YOUWe wish you grace and peace this coming season! Thank you in advance for your continued support and investment in THARS Burundi and the work of trauma healing and reconciliation.
With much love, gratefulness, and hope,- THARS International Board
For More Questions: Please reach out to Anita Stokes ([email protected]), Friends of THARS lead, or David Chronic ([email protected]), WMF Director of Operations
THARS Staff and US Travel Team during visit to Gitega in 2019.
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