What is Friends of Saint Louis de Gonzague (Friends of SLG)?

Friends of SLG is a volunteer-led group based in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to supporting the mission of Saint Louis de Gonzague School in Burundi, Africa. Founded by ten St. Louis natives who met Fr. Vedaste Nkeshimana, S.J., during his studies at Saint Louis University, the group raises funds and awareness to help provide quality education, safe facilities, and fair support for teachers.

Where is Saint Louis de Gonzague School located?

The school is located on the outskirts of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. It was founded in 2004 by the Jesuits to serve children from underprivileged families, offering them peace, stability, and an education rooted in faith and service.

What is the most current need at the school?

After severe rains in 2024 revealed that the school’s original land was unstable, construction began on a new, safer campus. Six classrooms are now complete, and six more will be finished by the end of 2025.
Friends of SLG is currently raising funds to furnish these classrooms with desks, chairs, and storage so students and teachers can fully use the space.

How does my donation help?

Every gift directly supports the students and teachers of Saint Louis de Gonzague School. Donations help fund teacher salaries and incentives, classroom furniture and supplies, basic technology, and ongoing school maintenance. Even small contributions go a long way in Burundi, where resources are limited but the dedication to education is strong.

Who leads Saint Louis de Gonzague School?

The school is led by Fr. Vedaste Nkeshimana, S.J., a Jesuit priest and headmaster who studied education at Saint Louis University. Under his leadership, the school continues to grow as a place of faith, learning, and opportunity for more than 1,100 students.

How can I donate?

Friends of SLG partners with American Jesuits International (AJI) to collect and manage donations for Saint Louis de Gonzague School. AJI has created a dedicated online donation page where all funds go directly to support SLG. You can donate HERE.

AJI also accepts cash and check donations on behalf of the school. If you prefer to give offline, please complete the contact form on our Contact Us page, or by emailing friendsofslg@gmail.com, and a member of our team will share mailing details and next steps.

Is Friends of SLG a registered nonprofit?

Friends of SLG is not currently a registered nonprofit. As a new volunteer-led organization, we are focusing our efforts on building awareness and partnerships with established Jesuit organizations like American Jesuits International (AJI) to ensure that all funds are collected and distributed responsibly.

This partnership allows us to direct any donations to Saint Louis de Gonzague School while laying the groundwork for future growth.

How can I get involved beyond donating?

We welcome new friends to join our mission! You can help by spreading the word, hosting a small fundraiser, partnering with your parish or school, or volunteering to assist with communications and outreach. Contact us at friendsofslg@gmail.com to learn more.