IJM Staff Profile: Phionah Birungi
Phionah Birungi began working for IJM in 2019, but her devotion to serving others has been characteristic since childhood. She was born to two civil servant in the rolling hills of the Kanungu district. In addition to her seven brothers and sisters, her parents took in cousins and other children in need, fostering an enviroment of love and care. Because of her mother’s work as a community development officer, women in need of assistance were also in and out of the family home. Phionah was inspired by her mother’s compassionate care for the people she served, and was forever impacted by the injustices she witnessed in the lives of others.
True to the culture of her family, Phionah identified her own interest in caring for others early on. Her desire to serve vulnerable children, in particular, led her to pursue a degree in social science. After volunteering with children under The AIDs Support Organization (TASO), she was confident she had found her calling. Still impacted by her mother’s work, she oriented her career around women and families who had been neglected by their husbands.
This work led her to a role with Save the Children, where she was working when she first heard about IJM. She was already doing the work of justice that had so captivated her interest, but it was the power of prayer that drew her to IJM. She connected with Ruth Ongom, the legal coordinator in IJM’s Fort Portal office, who shared with her about the way prayer enriched the work that otherwise felt impossible. Phionah decided then that she would one day join the team.
True to her word, she began serving as the coordinator of psychosocial support in 2019. By then, she was not only skilled in caring for vulnerable populations, but was ready to lead others in doing the same. In her role at IJM, she works alongside government personnel and coaches their direct work with survivors. This influence creates lasting transformation that extends beyond the number of survivors Phionah could personally serve.
Phionah resonates with the biblical account of David and the bravery that marks his story. She has always known her calling to boldly confront injustice through the service and care of others, and has faithfully leaned into it. As a result, Phionah has furthered the work of justice in her community, and championed the rights of vulnerable women and children.