Social Service and Welfare-Burundi Friends Intl
Julie is the Executive Director of Burundi Friends International, a local nonprofit working to empower Burundian youth, women and families towards building sustainable communities through education and economic development. Burundi is a land-locked country located in east, central Africa. (Last year, our Rotary International Foundation Grants Committee allocated $3,000 of their funds for a new library in Burundi.)
Julie is originally from Iowa. For twenty years, she has worked throughout San Diego as a music director at various churches. Besides spreading the joy of music, she is also passionate about reaching underserved individuals and communities.
For several years, Julie visited the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility to practice Buddhist meditation with inmates. In 2010-11, she traveled to the Himalayas and taught English to Buddhist nuns, then volunteered for four months teaching English at Light University in Bujumbura. Over time, she returned regularly to Burundi which eventually led to her position at Burundi Friends International.
Mike Meaney, Roger Haines and Walter Lam were her sponsors.
