October 21st, 1993. A date that will forever be etched into the mind and heart of Gilbert Tuhabonye. Thirty-two years ago, Gilbert escaped something that none of us could ever fathom: genocide.
It’s rather easy for us to walk into and out of each day in the U.S. without ever thinking how much of a gift, a privilege, and a blessing it is to live this life. With abundant water and food, secure housing, and meaningful work, each morning is blanketed with hope and joy that is unmatched, found nowhere else.
Given a second chance at life, Gilbert finds hope and joy each morning. He exemplifies those values along with faith and forgiveness that he found years ago.
Photograph ©Holly Reed
While October 21 serves as a day that is both heavy and hopeful to Gilbert, may it also serves as a reminder that sometimes the world can be an unfair and cruel place. Yet even amongst the worst of circumstances and in the midst of unfathomable tragedies, hope and happiness can prevail.
In 2006, Gilbert wrote This Voice in My Heart, an autobiographical account of his upbringing and his tale of survival. The response to this touching book was overwhelming, creating an outpouring of people who wanted to help.
The solution resulted in the creation of the Gazelle Foundation, where Gilbert, our dynamic board of directors, and hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly to bring awareness locally about the needs of the Burundian people. The global water crisis negatively impacts Burundi, a small East African nation, where so many live without close access to clean water.
And the story continues to this day.
Inspired by Gilbert?
Join us next month to be part of our movement for change. On November 9th thousands of Central Texans will join Gilbert and the Gazelle Foundation at our charity run event: Run For The Water. The annual road race celebrates the strength in resilience and the power of gratitude. Your participation means you can be involved in the spread health, hope, and opportunity by way of clean water.
Race Date: November 9, 2025
5K & 10-miler | 7 am
Kids K | 9:15 am
Race registration is OPEN
Volunteer registration is OPEN
Don’t run? Donate and GIVE CLEAN WATER
For those not in Austin or those who prefer to participate in a virtual event, our Global Run is available. Each of our events is an opportunity to provide clean water to those that need it most. Connect to our community and learn how to get involved to transform lives in a community in Burundi.
>> Watch Our Video Narrated By Gilbert
Discover how the event, Run For The Water, significantly contributes to our cause and what you can do to help our friends in Burundi, Africa. We documented how the race got started so many years ago.
Your run gets clean water running in Burundi. Runners of all levels and abilities can find the perfect challenge at Run For The Water. Whether new to running and looking to complete your first 5K, or looking to level-up and tackle a longer distance to test your speed and endurance our 10-miler is for you.
Everything with Joy
Gilbert’s message isn’t one of sorrow or anger; it’s one of joy, faith and forgiveness. Driven by a desire to unleash the potential of anyone who seeks it – in running and in life – Gilbert’s indomitable spirit moves everyone he meets.
He inspires others to believe that they can achieve anything, regardless of the circumstances or obstacles. He is a living reminder that humanity is greater than the sum of all the world’s injustices. And he is proof that the work of a few – or even just one – can make this world, our world, a better place.
Photographs ©Liz Kreutz, @lizkreutz
About Gilbert Tuhabonye Today & The Gazelle Foundation
Today, Gilbert is a retired professional runner, philanthropist, author, motivational speaker, coach, and community leader in Austin, where he lives with his wife Triphine. He has two daughters, Emma and Grace. He is also the owner and founder of Gilbert's Gazelles, one of Austin's largest running training groups, the head cross country and track coach at St. Andrews High School, and a co-founder of the Gazelle Foundation, which provides clean water to people in his homeland of Burundi, Africa.
The Gazelle Foundation supports the philanthropic vision of Gilbert Tuhabonye to bring hope and joy to Burundi through partnering with communities on to build sustainable, gravity-fed clean water systems. The Gazelle Foundation has a 100% track record of success in Burundi with 74 completed water systems and more in progress. To date, more than 141,000 people now have access to clean water because of supporters like you.
Clean water is foundational to community health and economic growth, and the Gazelle Foundation amplifies those effects by employing local workers and local suppliers in water system development. Working in a single, small country means it is easy to track the long-term impact of each water system.
Due to the unique nature of the Foundation’s structure and established in-country partners, the cost to build water systems is lower than average. The Gazelle Foundation is a certified 501(c)3. Donations to the Gazelle Foundation go directly to funding the construction of sustainable water systems in Burundi.
This new water tap stand at a school is one of 16 tap stands that are part of our 74th water system completed in October 2025. See Latest Update for progress happening right now.
Access to water empowers people by giving them more time for school and work, and contributes to improved health for women, children, men, and families. The Gazelle Foundation is able to make an outsized impact on the everyday lives of Burundians by working closely with them to complete clean water projects one village at a time.
Cecile Niyonizigiye, Chief of Shanga Colline explains what a new water system means to the people under her care: “The [health] clinic is not stressed or crowded with sick people. We are wearing clean clothes. There are no worries about water. It is a gift. We have lives of possibilities. Receiving a clean water system is a new beginning.”
Interested in becoming a one-time or monthly donor? Click here to make a tax-deductible gift.
Gilbert regularly visits Burundian villages with water systems we helped build. On these visits, he experiences firsthand the impact of how clean water changes everything. Forgiveness and joy go hand in hand.