This Austin family fled Congo after war broke out. They drew strength from their faith.
Serena Lin
Throughout the 15 years they spent in Burundi refugee camps, the Mukire family drew strength from their Christianity.
Now in Austin, the family from Congo continues to draw strength in their faith as they navigate a different culture. The Mukires are part of the Statesman Season for Caring program, which highlights the needs of families in our community and raises money to help the families and others like them served by local nonprofit organizations. The Mukires were nominated by Interfaith Action of Central Texas, which helps refugees with basic needs as well as English language classes.
In 2004, the Mukires fled Congo after brewing ethnic tensions brought violence to Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Armed combatants targeted members of the Banyamulenge ethnic group, which has endured a long history of persecution.
When violence broke out, Aimable Mukire was in class at the University of Bukavu. His wife, Chantal Bisaninka, was at home with their young children, Belle and Valerie. Aimable Mukire was forced to flee separately from his family. On his way to Burundi, he was shot above his right knee.
Against all odds, Mukire, Bisaninka and the children reunited in the Gutumba refugee camp. But their journey was far from over. On Aug. 13, 2004, armed combatants descended upon Gutumba. Chantal’s uncle and his eight children were killed during the massacre.
The Mukires escaped once again, finding their way to the Kinama refugee camp on the Tanzanian border.
Daughters Dorcas and Mediatrice were born in Kinama.
Learn more:12 families featured in the 25th Season for Caring program. Here's how you can help.
The second- and fourth-eldest Mukire children — Valerie, 19, and Mediatrice, 12 — have developmental delays. Aimable Mukire, 48, says that if they had not been raised in the refugee camp, they would have received better medical care.
The children had limited access to education in the camp, but they were able to attend church services.
Everything the family went through, Bisaninka said, they “got through because of God.” Faith gave the children a source of stability as they weathered life in Burundi.
In 2019, the Mukire family arrived in Austin as refugees. They have since had another child, Israel, 2, who was born in Austin.
Read more:Aimable Mukire: Refugee family in Austin perseveres through war, injury | Season for Caring
The family now attends El Shaddai Baptist Church in North Austin, where most congregants are refugees from Congo.
Bishop Innocent Mudandi said that when he founded El Shaddai 13 years ago, it was the first Central African church in the area. Mudandi is a refugee himself, and he said it was common for churches to be established in refugee camps.
"It is important to build Christianity wherever we go," Mudandi said.
El Shaddai plays a large role in supporting refugee families as they adjust to life in Austin. When the Mukires arrived in Texas, Mudandi said that the church stayed "close" to them. There are even other congregants from the same refugee camp.
Bisaninka, 44, has become a deacon, helping with services and community events. Her role, Mudandi said, is to help anyone who needs it.
El Shaddai is expecting more refugee families from Central Africa in the coming months.
The Mukires still have many things on their wish list, including a gently used car and car insurance; rent assistance; help with internet and phone expenses; a dining room set for seven people; living room furniture; drawers; cabinets; rugs; a TV and TV stand; a sewing machine; a laptop; a cellphone; cookware; body cream; a mirror; clogs; and gift cards for H-E-B, Walmart, Amazon and Visa.
To find out more about how you can help the Mukires, contact Interfaith Action of Central Texas at 512-386-9145 or interfaithtexas.org.
About Season for Caring
The Statesman will be sharing the stories of all 12 Season for Caring families throughout the holiday season. Find more stories and information at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. You can donate online or use the coupon on Page 2B and mail it to Austin Community Foundation, c/o Statesman Season for Caring, 4315 Guadalupe St., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78751. Make checks payable to “Statesman Season for Caring.” Now through Dec. 25, all monetary donations will be matched up to $500,000 by the Sheth family.