Providing health care to 1000s in Bujumbura slum

ACTIVITIES

Caring for HIV Positive People (CHIVPP)

In the month of June, medical follow-up and home visits were done for our HIV positive people.  Food (Rice and beans) was given our HIV positive beneficiaries.

Maternity Ward Building

Although Ntaseka maternity ward still needs some medical equipment; both the delivery and them, hospitalization services are currently functional.

Improving Women’s Reproductive Health (IWRH)

FWA staff and FWA community health workers have continued to educate both men and women on the importance of family planning.

1. Background and General Objective

In a context marked by numerous vulnerabilities among young people in terms of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a three-day workshop was organized to equip young girls, boys, and newlyweds with practical and inspiring knowledge about SRH. The objective was to strengthen their autonomy, sense of responsibility, and motivation to adopt healthy behaviors while pursuing their dreams in life.

2. Workshop Program

Day 1: Inspiring Testimony and Interactive Discussion

The day was highlighted by an enriching meeting with Dr. Alexia Nibona, general practitioner. She shared her personal and professional journey, highlighting:

• The challenges of a young girl in a demanding world, particularly in terms of sexual responsibilities,
• The importance of principles, mentors, and resilience in achieving success,
• Her strengths, weaknesses, failures, and successes,
• Interactive discussions with the young people, who asked many relevant questions, which she answered with transparency and encouragement.

Day 2: Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

On this day, participants explored the basics of the menstrual cycle, considered an essential foundation for discussing sexual and reproductive health, including:

• The different phases of the menstrual cycle (menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase),
• Signs of fertility,
• The importance of menstrual hygiene and managing menstrual pain,
• The links between the menstrual cycle and safe/responsible sex.

Note: This module was deemed particularly useful, especially for young girls and boys.

Day 3: Introduction to the Friends Women's Association and sharing of dreams

The final day provided an opportunity to learn about the Friends Women's Association (FWA):

• Vision
• Mission
• Objectives

Governance: Founded in 2002, with a participatory and inclusive approach. The young people were theninvited to share their personal dreams, linked to their motivation to adopt a healthy and responsible lifestyle.

“My name is Evelyne. I have nothing negative to say about FWA, because they supported me when I needed it most. I used to be a victim of economic violence. My husband depended on me to provide for everything and constantly traumatized me with hurtful words on a daily basis.

When I joined the FWA’s SHG, I was emotionally exhausted, but it was a turning point in my life. The SHG allowed me to save a considerable amount, which is very difficult for someone who runs a small business.

In 2019, I contributed 1,000,000 BIF towards the purchase of a motorcycle for my husband, while he contributed 800,000 BIF. I did this just to maintain peace in our home. However, he later sold the motorcycle without even informing me. That betrayal was deeply painful.

I also helped cover his travel expenses to Uganda, where He now works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Since then, I’ve found peace in my household.

With my savings, I bought a plot of land in ISARE for 1,000,000 BIF, which is now valued at 6,000,000 BIF. I also bought a pig for 250,000 BIF and sold it for 500,000 BIF just three months later. Later, my friend and I partnered to buy a cow for 1,500,000 BIF. After two years, we sold it for 4 million BIF.

I added this money to what I had saved within the self-help group over the previous two years and bought another plot of land in NYABUNYEGERI at 4,000,000 BIF. Due to the SHG, I am gradually building a house on this plot of land.

Today, I am able to feed my children, save money, and clothe myself and my children. Before joining SHG, all of this would have been impossible.”

Story

“After my child was hospitalized, I came home and found a young woman I didn't know. My husband told me she was his cousin, and I readily accepted. She was kind to me and helped me with housework. Since I leave very early for business and return late, I appreciated her support.

However, my neighbors began to worry. They noticed that when I left, the girl and my husband would lock the door and behave like husband and wife. They advised me to be careful. Eventually, I discovered the truth: she wasn't his cousin, but his second wife. One morning, I overheard my husband and the girl arguing about money He had sent to another woman. During this argument, everything broke out and I understood that this woman was living with me as his wife.

The shock was too much to bear. I went in home in silence, collapsed, and lost consciousness. I later woke up in the hospital. My first words were, “Is it true that she’s his wife?” People tried to comfort me, but I couldn’t be consoled. A nurse eventually asked my husband to speak to me, which helped me calm down.

I believed my husband would change, He had promised to do so after seeing how deeply his actions had affected me. The local authorities had also warned him that if He continued this behavior, He would face consequences. To avoid this, we moved from Kinama to Maramvya. But even then, my husband rented two houses; one for me and one for his other wife.

What hurt me most was that he took all the furniture and equipment from my home and furnished her house with it. I arrived to an empty house. Today, I continue to live with the trauma. It pains me to see my children going to the neighbors’ house to watch television, when we used to have our own.

I am grateful for this training, because I see myself in everything that has been shared. It gives me strength to begin my journey of healing.”

• FWA_June_2025_WEbsite_Narrative_Report.doc (DOC)