Friends Women’s Assoc Health Clinic

Bujumbura, Burundi
In partnership with American Friends Service Committee

The Friends Women’s Association (FWA) is a grassroots organization founded by and for Burundian women to address the unique needs of women in the conflict and post-conflict environment. It began in 2002 by a group of women who wanted to work together to improve each others’ lives and, in particular, address the problems of poverty, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, and post-genocide trauma in their communities. Today, their mission is to provide a community-based, comprehensive healthcare to women and their families, to promote women’s autonomy and leadership, and to strengthen peace and social solidarity in Kamenge and other communities throughout Burundi.

              

• Primary Care FWA provides primary and preventative care to our patients. In 2010, we received 3, 445 patients, of whom 65% were women. 
• Global HIV Care: FWA provides HIV care to 187 patients. These are patients who receive testing, counselling, ARV referral, opportunistic infection treatment, home visits, socioeconomic and psychosocial support through our centre.
• Socioeconomic Support: FWA runs a micro-finance program aimed to support income-generating activities of our HIV+ patients. While this program is relatively new, participants report doubling their monthly income through small businesses started with this lending. In addition, this program provides beneficiaries with business selection, planning, and management training before lending.
• Trauma Healing: In 2008, FWA began a community trauma healing program with 330 women in four communities throughout Burundi. In 2011, this program is being expanded to include 270 additional women. Each group of women (approx. 30 people) undergo a 3-day trauma healing workshop and then receive funds to carry out an income-generating project.
• Advocacy: In May 2011, FWA will host a Pan-African conference focused on the relationship between health and peace.

FWA works to see a Burundi where there is peace, health and equality; where women have autonomy to strive for their families’ welfare.

For more information please visit FWA's website http://www.fwaburundi.com/