The first cases of HIV and AIDS in the world were identified in Rwanda in 1983 at Kigali Centre Hospital in the capital city.

Today, more than 100,000 children in Rwanda are heading up households, because they have lost one or both parents to the effects of HIV and AIDS. More than 600,000 Rwandan children between the ages of 0 to 14 are orphans. (Unicef, 2006).

People affected by HIV and AIDS face a range of challenges. Many orphans and vulnerable children lack shelter, transport and sufficient food. Children who take care of younger siblings need to attend school, but find it difficult because of a lack of money and too many responsibilities.

Together, we are making a difference

With the help of generous Kiwis, like you, who are supporting World Vision New Zealand’s Children in Crisis (CIC) programme, World Vision, together with the community, has implemented the Kigali Urban HIV and AIDS programme in 2008.

The programme, which is scheduled to run until the end of 2011, is located in the Gasabo district and operates in the Remera, Kimironko and Kimihurura, with a total population of more than 100,000.

The main objectives of the Kigali Urban HIV and AIDS programme are to:

Increase HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention among young people, in partnership with parents, teacher-training institutions, community members, and other non-governmental and faith-based organisations

Increase support to orphans and vulnerable children, and people living with HIV and AIDS, in partnership with voluntary care networks, local leaders, churches and community members

Mitigate the impact on people of HIV and AIDS, and reduce their vulnerability through training, income generation, improved nutrition and advocacy

A vulnerable family lives positively

Agnes Mukanyirigira, 20, lives with her mother and three siblings. A few years ago, her father died of HIV and AIDS, and her mother was diagnosed as HIV-positive.

Owing to a lack of funds, Agnes was not able to continue her secondary school education. After struggling on her own to support the family, Agnes heard about World Vision’s programme for vulnerable children and families. She was encouraged and supported to enrol at a vocational training school, and became a qualified tailor.

Agnes started her own business, making and selling garments. With the money Agnes earns, she is able to provide for the family. Her mother is now receiving treatment with the assistance of World Vision, and is also visited by dedicated voluntary caregivers who are counselling her and making sure she eats nutritional food to improve her immune system.

Agnes is very grateful for the assistance she is receiving from World Vision to help her fulfill her responsibilities to her family and support them to live positively.

 

Your contribution to CIC has also made possible the following:

• More than 400 people from 135 families went for voluntary counselling and testing, after people living with HIV and AIDS, and orphans and vulnerable children gave public testimonies to break the silence and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS
• 100 voluntary caregivers were trained in home-based care
• More than 400 orphans and vulnerable children, and 150 people living with HIV and AIDS, were visited and supported at home by voluntary caregivers
• 200 people involved in an HIV and AIDS education campaign, were able to educate their own communities about HIV and AIDS prevention and care
• With World Vision’s support, many vulnerable families have started income-generating activities to increase their income to buy food and afford school fees for the children

Location: Blantyre, Malawi

Blantyre District has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Malawi.

Almost half of the children in the Blantyre HIV/AIDS programme have lost parents to AIDS.World Vision has an area development programme (ADP) in the city of Blantyre. Almost half of the children in this programme have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Most of these orphans lack basic essentials, such as food, clothing, school supplies, medical attention and shelter.

The Blantyre Urban HIV/AIDS Project helps those dying of HIV/AIDS, gives practical support and care to orphans, and educates the community, especially the youth, on how to avoid HIV infection. Community members also learn how to care for people infected with HIV/AIDS and to give comfort, love and hope to the survivors.

Location: Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that has endured more than its fair share of trauma in the last 15 years. The horrors of the 1994 genocide are only compounded by the ongoing tragedy of poverty, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In Kabuga and Tubehoneza Area Development Programmes in Rwanda there is enormous need for additional care of those affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as preventative measures such as education.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds education of school children aimed at preventing the spread of the disease. World Vision begins by educating trainers who in turn educate teachers, their students and community members.

In addition to prevention education, World Vision attends to the urgent needs of people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as children orphaned or left vulnerable because of the disease. This includes providing such things as healthcare, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training.

World Vision works to establish Community Care Coalitions that assist in caring for the sick and these children. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

The Kabuga and Tubehoneza HIV and AIDS projects are improving the quality of life of people, including children, and could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.

Location: Tanzania

In Tanzania, practically the entire population is affected by HIV and AIDS one way or another. Thos that are not living with HIV themselves have usually either lost a loved one to AIDS or are caring for someone who has it.

It leaves behind a generation of children without parents to care for them, who are forced to rely on already poverty-stricken grandparents or extended family. Many children end up running their own households, dropping out of school to care for their siblings.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds a project in Kagera, Tanzania aimed at helping orphans and vulnerable children, and people living with HIV and AIDS.

For children who have lost loved ones, World Vision provides counselling support, health care, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training.

World Vision works to establish Community Care Coalitions that assist in caring for these children, in addition to providing community education to prevent the spread of the disease and eliminate its social stigma. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

The Kagera support programme is improving the quality of life of thousands of people, including children, and could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.

Location: Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that has endured more than its fair share of trauma in the last 15 years. The horrors of the 1994 genocide are only compounded by the ongoing tragedy of poverty, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In urban areas of Kigali, the capital city, World Vision is addressing the problem of HIV and AIDS.

World Vision Children in Crisis funds a project aimed at raising awareness and preventing the spread of the disease in youth, as well as providing home-based care to those affected by it.

Trainers are educated and youth clubs, churches and other community-based organisations are provided with the teaching and tools they need to demystify the disease amongst young people. This is the first step to reducing the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the community.

For children who have lost loved ones, World Vision is establishing Community Care Coalitions to provide counselling support, health care, educational assistance and economic empowerment e.g. through vocational training. The coalitions are effective because they help ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme, once World Vision has moved out of the region.

HIV and AIDS prevention and care projects, such as this one, are critical to give the people of Rwanda hope for the future. They could not happen without the financial support of Children in Crisis donors.