Project Burundi

In July 1990, Dan Doyle received an unexpected letter from the Honorable Cynthia Shepard Perry, U.S. Ambassador to Burundi. Ambassador Perry's letter to Doyle inspired what would become known as Project Burundi.

Following receipt of the letter, Doyle and Institute officials established regular communication with Ambassador Perry and other U.S. Embassy officials in Burundi, which led to Doyle's visit to the US Embassy in Bujumbura in October 1990. During that visit, Ambassador Perry arranged a series of meetings with Burundian sports officials, and also arranged for Doyle to conduct several basketball clinics. At one clinic, Doyle befriended 19-year-old Leonard Tangishaka, a 6-10 basketball player and fine scholar. As a result of that first meeting, Leonard attended the 1993 World Scholar-Athlete Games as a guest of the Institute. At the Games, he was awarded a full scholarship to Mount Ida Junior College. Following his honors graduation from Mount Ida, Leonard was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated with honors in 1997. Leonard is now a successful businessman residing in Boston.

During the visit to Bujumbura, Doyle identified the need for equipment and other assistance for Burundi basketball. Upon his return to the United States, Project Burundi was officially launched. The effort, which extended over two years, produced many notable results, including:

• In 1991, with the help of college basketball coaches throughout the United States, the Institute sent approximately $35,000 worth of basketball equipment to Burundi. Ambassador Perry and Burundian officials hosted a special ceremony at a basketball court to present the equipment to the Burundi Basketball Federation.
• The Institute arranged for Rick Boyages, at that time Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach at Boston College, to travel to Burundi to conduct clinics. While in Burundi, Coach Boyages trained what would become the first-ever Burundi National Basketball team that would later travel to the United States.
• In 1991, the Institute arranged for the newly created Burundi National Basketball team to travel to the United States on an historical trip during which they played eight exhibition games against American competition. The Institute secured financial guarantees from the eight schools, as well as other sponsorships to cover all expenses for the team.
• Project Burundi also served to establish an ongoing relationship between the country and the Institute, as Burundi has sent participants to the Scholar-Athlete Games on a regular basis.

Jim Donaldson of the Providence Journal and John Gearan of the Worcester Telegram wrote articles regarding Project Burundi and the Burundi National Men's Basketball Team's visit to the United States.