Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, FCI Executive Director, was born in Burundi, and lived there for most of his life. He is passionate about helping people reach their potential by providing tools that people need to thrive. He is convinced he lives on borrowed time, more so since he escaped death after being kidnapped in Burundi in 2015. He is committed to spending the rest of his life touching others' lives, one at a time. When he is not preaching or raising money to fulfill his passion, he thinks about the state of the world and Philosophy is his preferred lens. He has received preliminary fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist minister.
FLAMING CHALICE INTERNATIONAL CANADA
Ferdinand Nkurunziza, Canadian board president, lives in Winnipeg, MB with his family. Originally from Burundi, Ferdinand has been in Canada for several years. He has worked for many years in settling immigrants and refugees who found refuge in Canada, and especially in Saskatoon. Ferdinand has been involved with Flaming Chalice International since its inception. He is happy and ready to serve the Burundian people as he helps carry out the mission of the organization.
Liz James, member at large in charge of development, runs the UU not for profit Mirth and Dignity. Liz has worked with refugees in various capacities since her teens, and was often struck by how hard it is as a Westerner to know what is most effective. She supports FCI because she believes passionately that the right way to approach complex problems is to find people who are from the communities in question and equip them with resources to enact home grown solutions. Liz lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with her partner, sons, and cat. She can be contacted through her website, at LizJamesWrites.com.
FLAMING CHALICE INTERNATIONAL USA
Cassius Shirambere, FCI/USA President, was born and raised in Burundi, and emigrated to the US in 2012. He has been involved for several years with non-profit organizations in his native Burundi, working to strengthen peace and promote the wellbeing of people in need. He started an organization, “Bonsem,” to build peace and promote development of youth and communities. As the president of the board of Flaming Chalice International USA, Cassius is happy to be part of the solution. He lives in Lewiston, Maine with his family.
Elaine and Elvis, Burundian refugee in Rwanda
Elaine Mittell, Treasurer, is a social work consultant who offers training and coaching to "emerging professionals" in human services. She is a committed Unitarian Universalist and an almost full-time volunteer, coordinating lay pastoral care for her church and promoting social justice. A visit to Burundi in 2014 proved to be a transformative experience, the beginning of beautiful and enduring friendships with Burundi faith partners. Elaine lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her husband, Doug. They have two adult daughters, identical twins who are both teachers of young children.
The Rev. Jill McAllister is a Unitarian Universalist minister in Corvallis, OR, where she also teaches World Religions at Oregon State University. She has served congregations in Michigan and Oregon for more than thirty years, and has helped train and teach congregational leaders across the country and around the world. Her work has included helping build local, international and interfaith coalitions for immigrant and refugee support, and helping to create a local non-profit organization which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for people who are houseless.
Paul Niyonizigiye lives in Portland, Maine with his family. He has been working in the education and computer science sectors for a long time, even before he left his native Burundi to live in the USA. He has been active with projects in Burundi related to supporting women, youth, and local communities. Paul is a founding member of Flaming Chalice International USA.