Jason and Heather Reedyk Fader, both ’99 graduates of Calvin, have embarked on a daunting adventure in the African country of Burundi, one of the poorest nations in the world.

Jason, a surgeon, and Heather, a teacher, are part of a group that made a 20-year commitment to train the next generation of Burundi physicians to care for the country’s people.

They came back to their alma mater to share their ministry and dreams for the future.

“We’re not the best people for this job; our students are,” team members say on the Kibuye Hope Hospital promotional video. Jason wears four hats in his busy schedule: surgeon, educator, administrator and infrastructure developer. Heather, fluent in French, teaches the children of the families committed to this work.

The Faders are hoping to establish additional Calvin College ties—with professors, current students and Calvin alumni.

Physicians, faculty in pre-medical specialties, teachers, French speakers and persons with college ministry interests are all examples of potentially helpful partners—for both short-term and long-term assignments.

“We’re eager to talk with anyone who feels called,” said Jason. The Faders are reachable at jasonheatherfader@gmail.com.