The Young Man from Rwanda, Africa, Who’s Changing the World

It’s about the power of education, faith, hope, and the love of God

Hodal Bizimungu, image credit author

A few weeks ago, I met a young man sitting in the corner of a coffee shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was there for a meeting with a friend when something about the young man caught my eye and drew me to him. It was his presence and smile radiating a joy that goes beyond description.

After ordering coffee, I approached the man sitting in the corner and introduced myself. “Hello, my name’s Cliff. I noticed you sitting here in the corner and wanted to introduce myself. I’m a photographer. What’s your name?”

Extending his hand and a warm smile revealing pearl-white teeth, he said, “Hello, Cliff. I’m Hodal. Nice to meet you.”

“Thanks. Tell me how you pronounce your name again.”

“Ho-dall,” he said with an even bigger smile.

“Ho-dall,” I repeat, making sure I get it right.

“Yes, that’s it.”

“What’s the logo on your shirt?” I asked.

“Oh, it’s my nonprofit. I’m from Africa, and we help children with their education,” or something close to that, Hodal said.

“Phenomenal. You know what? I’d love to schedule a time to meet you here and hear your story. I’d also love to take your picture. Here’s my card. Let’s find a time to meet soon, okay?”

Fast-forward to yesterday at 10 a.m. We met at the same coffee shop, and I brought my best camera and lens. I sensed Hodal had a story that would blow me away, and I’m unsure why. I wasn’t disappointed.

After ordering coffee, I led Hodal to a corner of the restaurant next to the coffee shop so we could visit without distraction. As soon as we sat down, I let Hodal tell his story, letting him know I would take notes, photograph him, and write a story to share with my network.

Hodal Bizimungu was born in early April 1993 in Burundi, located in the Great Lakes region of East-Central Africa. Burundi is Rwanda’s southern neighbor and shares deep historical, ethnic, and political ties with Rwanda.

He is one of fourteen children from the same mother and father. He described his parents as hardworking, loving, and devoted, who struggled to raise the family despite the overwhelming suffering and poverty in the region.

Hodal’s family is originally from Rwanda. Both Burundi and the regions surrounding Rwanda experienced violent conflicts rooted in colonial-era divisions. During the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, in which Hutu extremists massacred nearly one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu, Burundi was both a place of refuge and a region of instability. The genocide also fueled regional conflict, as hundreds of thousands of Rwandan refugees, including genocidaires (perpetrators of the genocide), fled into Burundi and other neighboring countries.

That was the war-torn world into which Hodal was born. Of his thirteen siblings, he only knows seven are alive. Hodal doesn’t linger on the trauma of his past. Instead, he tells me his mother is still living, and his father has passed on. The legacy of Hodal’s father is his insistence on the power of education to help people break the poverty cycle, and Hodal is living proof.

Hodal is the first in his family to get a college education. He describes his passion for reading and learning. He got straight A’s through high school and college. He loves to read, and his English is excellent. He’s well-dressed and meticulous in his grooming.

After losing his father to natural causes in 2016, Hodal took it upon himself to read the Bible front to back and over again to prove that the Christians he knew were wrong about God. He couldn’t believe in a loving God or Creator, considering the world into which Hodal was born was so cruel.

But God had other plans for Hodal. Over time, he came to believe in Christ, and his faith leaped to new heights. Between 2013 and 2017, he attended the National University of Rwanda. Early in college, Hodal met a girl nicknamed Ninah (Penine Wibabara is her full name). Hodal took a liking to Ninah, and they became friends. At one point, Hodal offered to help Nina financially to help her through college exams.

As divine intervention would have it, Ninah was a Christian, and another Christian woman named Julie helped her financially from Cave Creek, Arizona. Julie visited Ninah’s village on a missionary trip when they first met in 2009. Regardless, Hodal became a Christian in 2013 as a Freshman in college. He tells me it was Ninah and Julie who significantly influenced his conversion.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Hodal attended the University of Chicago in 2018. While attending a conference in Kentucky, he researched how to travel from Kentucky to Arizona online. He was eager to meet Julie and thank her personally for helping him and Ninah build their life.

With little knowledge of the United States, Hodal met a cab driver who drove him to the nearby Greyhound bus station to purchase a ticket and board a bus bound for Arizona after the conference ended. Three long days later, Julie met Hodal at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Greyhound terminal at 12:30 a.m. And that’s how life in Arizona began for Hodal.

He has a ten-year Visa to live here. Once settled in, he worked as a home caregiver, attending to older adults. He earned a meager $1,100 a month. The work drained him emotionally and financially, but over time, Hodal worked his way up and met a man who launched a small group of mental health homes in the West Valley of Metro Phoenix. Hodal started working for the man who promoted him and eventually helped him break out alone.

Hodal worked long, hard hours, saving his money. He eventually started his first mental health home, increased his income and savings, and continued to send money back to Africa to advocate for vulnerable children. Throughout this process, Hodal has been saving money and building his network internationally to help more children.

Hodal eventually sold his mental health business to focus full-time on his purpose-driven life to empower others. Hodal and Ninah live near my family, and we will spend much more time together. He’s a shining example of God’s grace, love, and mercy. If God speaks to us through people, Hodal’s dedication and focus on serving others speaks louder than words.

In November 2021, Hodal launched his nonprofit, Africa Oasis Foundation. The foundation's mission is “Transforming Lives, Restoring Relationships, Changing Communities.” Its focus is building schools in the heart of Rwanda.

African Oasis - https://africanoasis.org/

Hodal was beaming with joy the entire time he told me his story. His teeth are nearly perfect and bright white. It was a pleasure to listen and take notes. After confirming some of my notes, I asked Hodal to take his picture. His smile was almost as perfect as the natural light surrounding us.

After talking for about an hour, I asked Hodal where he needed help most. He said, “I'm just getting the word out, Cliff. We want to build more schools, help more children, share our Christian faith, and change lives.”

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I write about the art of human transformation, consciousness, spiritual evolution, transcending suffering, and mental health. I’m a professional photographer specializing in corporate, headshots, and event photography. Learn more at www.CliffordJones.com.