Together for Education, Hope, and Opportunity
About Friends of SLG
Friends of Saint Louis de Gonzague (Friends of SLG) formed in 2025 in St. Louis, Missouri, as a group of volunteers united by a shared mission — to support the growth and sustainability of Saint Louis de Gonzague School in Burundi.
We work closely with the Jesuit community to help the school expand access to quality education, improve learning facilities, and empower students with tools for a brighter future.
Our commitment is simple: every dollar raised goes directly to the school — helping to provide food, supplies, and a safe place for students to learn and thrive.
“Education of the poor is not a favor but a duty... Christian tradition considers knowledge a gift from God and a community responsibility.”
How did Friends of SLG Begin?
Friends of SLG began with a friendship and a shared Jesuit mission that crossed continents.
Fr. Vedaste Nkeshimana, S.J., headmaster of Saint Louis de Gonzague School in Burundi, came to St. Louis University to pursue his master’s degree in education. During his time in St. Louis, he met Fr. Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J., president of De Smet Jesuit High School, who mentored him as he prepared for leadership. Their conversations often turned to the hopes and challenges of education in Burundi.
Beyond the classroom, Fr. Vedaste found a home in several local parishes, including St. Norbert, St. Louis College Church, St. Francis Xavier, Epiphany of Our Lord, and St. James the Greater. Through these communities, he met families and friends who were deeply moved by his story and eager to help.
From those relationships, Friends of SLG was born—a group of St. Louis volunteers united in faith and dedicated to supporting Fr. Vedaste and the mission of Saint Louis de Gonzague School.
A message from Burundi
L’École Fondamentale Saint Louis De Gonzague
Saint Louis de Gonzague is a Jesuit-founded school located on the outskirts of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Founded in 2004, it was created to serve children from underprivileged families—many still affected by the country’s civil conflict—and to offer them peace, stability, and a safe path away from violence and unrest.
What began with only three classrooms has grown into a thriving school community of more than 1,100 students in elementary and middle school. Guided by Jesuit values, Saint Louis de Gonzague forms students in faith, academic excellence, and service to others.
In April 2024, heavy rains caused severe damage to one of the school’s main buildings and revealed that the land itself was unstable. With another rainy season approaching, there is growing concern for the safety of the remaining classrooms still on the old site. Thanks to Jesuit funding, a new campus has been secured, and six classrooms have already been completed. Six more are expected to be finished by the end of 2025—but even twelve classrooms are not enough to serve all 1,100 students.
Despite these challenges, headmaster Fr. Vedaste Nkeshimana, S.J., continues to lead with hope. Many teachers face long commutes and earn far below what is needed for a sustainable living, yet they remain dedicated to their students. With continued support, Fr. Vedaste believes Saint Louis de Gonzague can keep growing—strengthening both the school and the wider community in faith, knowledge, and opportunity.
Our Main Goals
Furnishing New Classrooms
Preparing Spaces for Learning
By December 2025, twelve new classrooms at Saint Louis de Gonzague School will be completed at the school’s newly secured site, thanks to funding provided by the Jesuits. Construction is nearly finished—a major milestone in rebuilding the school and expanding access to education.
Now, the focus shifts to furnishing these spaces. Friends of SLG is raising funds to provide desks, chairs, and cabinets so students can learn comfortably and teachers can teach effectively.
Your support helps turn these new buildings into true classrooms filled with life, learning, and hope for the future.
School Upkeep & Support
Sustaining Hope Every Day
Day-to-day needs at Saint Louis de Gonzague School remain urgent. The school must continue operating—providing meals, teaching, and mentorship—while planning for its future.
Friends of SLG helps fund teacher salaries, the hiring of an assistant headmaster, and the purchase of essential classroom technology. Support also goes toward the general upkeep of the school to ensure that educators have the tools and environment they need to teach effectively and that students can continue learning in a stable setting.
Your contribution helps sustain this mission of education, resilience, and faith in one of Burundi’s most underserved communities.
Construction of New Classrooms
Creating New Spaces to Grow
Education can’t wait. Overcrowding and limited space currently force students to rotate between morning and afternoon sessions. The next phases of development focus on building new classroom blocks, administrative offices, and essential facilities so that every child can learn in the morning and teachers have the time and tools to prepare and teach effectively.
By constructing durable, well-equipped classrooms, we’re ensuring that each child has room to learn, focus, and grow. These spaces will become more than just walls and desks—they’ll be places of stability, dignity, and hope for hundreds of young learners