AVSI Rwanda

Merry christmas & bright wishes to you this festive season! 🌟🎄

AVSI Rwanda wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Visiting communities is always inspiring! It shows how connection and support can transform lives. Recently, staff, health partners, and mental health professionals spent a day in Ruhango District meeting people living with mental health conditions.

The team visited a basket-weaving group in Munini Cell, where 15 members meet weekly to craft and share experiences. At Ruhango Health Center, they joined a psychoeducation group learning about medication use and mental health care. In Musamo Cell, a “Groupe de Parole” welcomed them, with 18 members openly sharing life stories and challenges, supported by 14 community volunteers. The day ended with a savings and loan group in Nyagisozi Cell, where 19 members discussed financial empowerment and mutual support.

Across all visits, participants highlighted how these groups reduce isolation, foster resilience, and inspire hope: showing the real impact of community, dialogue, and care.

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Gusura imiryango n’imibereho y’abaturage buri gihe biratera ishema! Byerekana uburyo ubufatanye n’ubufasha bishobora guhindura ubuzima bw’abantu. Mu minsi ishize, abakozi ba , abafatanyabikorwa mu by’ubuzima, hamwe n’abaganga bindwara zo mu mutwe, bamaze umunsi mu Karere ka Ruhango bahura n’amatsinda ya abantu bafite ibibazo by’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe.

Hasuwe itsinda ry’ababoha uduseke babarizwa mu Kagari ka Munini, aho abanyamuryango 15 bahura buri cyumweru bakora uduseke kandi bakanasangira ibitekerezo. Mu Kigo nderabuzima cya Ruhango, bifatanyije n’itsinda ry’ab**a ku buzima bwo mu mutwe, b**a ku bijyanye no gukoresha imiti no kwita ku buzima bwo mu mutwe. Mu Kagari ka Musamo, basuye abagize itsinda ry’ib**aniro hamwe nabakorerabushake, aho itsinda rigzwe n’abanyamuryango 18 basangizanya inkuru z’ubuzima n’imbogamizi bahura nazo, bafashijwe n’abakorerabushake 14. Basoreje mugusura itsinda ry’ubwizigame n’inguzanyo mu Kagari ka Nyagisozi, aho abanyamuryango 19 baganiriye ku buryo bwo kwiteza imbere mu bukungu no gufashanya.

Muri izi gahunda zose, abitabiriye bagaragaje uburyo aya matsinda agabanya kwigunga, agateza imbere kwihangana, kandi agatuma bagira icyizere: b**aragaza neza umusaruro w’ubufatanye, ib**aniro, n’ubwitange mu muryango.

AVSI

Strengthening mental health support at the community level starts with well-trained professionals. In Nyanza District, 39 participants, including AVSI Rwanda staff and partners working in Health Centers and Hospitals in Ruhango and Kamonyi Districts, took part in a five-day intensive training delivered by mental health specialists.

The sessions focused on mental health care, psychosocial resilience, and practical approaches to supporting people on their recovery journey and reintegration into everyday life. Participants shared that the skills and knowledge gained will directly improve the services they provide to patients.

Building on this foundation, they are also set to train 1,200 community volunteers, ensuring that support reaches deeper into local communities.

This training was organized by under the Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung CARE Project, reinforcing the commitment to stronger, community-based mental health care.

Gushyigikira ubufasha mu by’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe mu baturage bitangirira kuba ahari ababarizwa muby’ubuzima bafite ku ubumenyi buhagije. Mu Karere ka Nyanza, abagera kuri 39 barimo abakozi ba n’abafatanyabikorwa bakorera mu bigonderabuzima n’amavuriro y’intara byo mu Turere twa Ruhango na Kamonyi, bitabiriye amahugurwa y’iminsi itanu yatanzwe n’inzobere mu by’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe.

Ayo mahugurwa yibanze ku kwita ku buzima bwo mu mutwe, kongerera abantu ubushobozi bwo kwita kubahuye n’ihungabana , ndetse n’uburyo bufatika bwo gufasha abantu mu rugendo rwo gukira no gusubira mu buzima busanzwe bwabo. Abayitabiriye bagaragaje ko ubumenyi n’ubushobozi bungutse bizazamura mu buryo bugaragara serivisi baha abarwayi.

Hashingiwe kuri aya mahugurwa, hateganyijwe kandi guhugura abakorerabushake 1,200, hagamijwe ko ubufasha mu bugera henshi kandi bugashyikira abaturage benshi kurushaho.

Aya mahugurwa yateguwe na binyuze mu mushinga wa Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung CARE Project, b**aragaza ubushake bwo gukomeza guteza imbere serivisi z’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe zishingiye ku muryango n’abaturage.

is key to preventing gender-based violence and protecting the most vulnerable. When communities are informed and engaged, they can create safer and more inclusive environments for everyone.

From 9 to 12 December, led an awareness-raising campaign in Gatsibo, Gicumbi, and Nyanza Districts, bringing these messages directly to families, leaders, and children. Through family dialogue sessions, talks led by local leaders, and child-friendly activities such as reading moments and traditional games, the campaign reached different community members in meaningful and accessible ways.

The initiative was part of AVSI interventions under the EU-funded United Project and the Humura Shenge Project, implemented by AVSIRwanda with the support of Support International e.V.., to prevent gender-based violence and support adolescent mothers, including those with intellectual disabilities.
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n'ingenzi mu gukumira ihohoterwa rishingiye ku gitsina no kurengera abatishoboye cyane. Iyo abaturage basobanukiwe nibo nkingi y’umuryango utekanye.

Kuva ku ya 9 kugeza ku ya 12 Ukuboza, yakoze ubukangurambaga mu Turere twa Gatsibo, Gicumbi, na Nyanza, Binyuze mu b**aniro byagejejwe kumiryango, ib**aniro bikaba byarayobowe n'abayobozi b'ibanze, ndetse hari hanateguwe ibikorwa byo gusoma ku bana n'imikino gakondo urusoro ndetse n’amakarita , ubu bukangurambaga mukurwanya ihohiterwa rishingiye ku gitsina bwageze ku baturage batandukanye mu buryo bufite akamaro kandi bunogeye.

Iyi gahunda yari imwe mu bikorwa bya AVSI aho biterwa inkunga n'umushinga w'umuryango w'Ubumwe bw'u Burayi ndetse n'umushinga wa Humura Shenge nawo ushyirwa mu bikorwa na AVSI Rwanda ku nkunga ya Support International e.V., mu gukumira ihohoterwa rishingiye ku gitsina no gushyigikira abana babakobwa babyaye bakiri bato, hanitabwa kubafite ubumuga bwo mu mutwe.

Bringing awareness to life in !

As part of the Improved Green Culture and Climate Change Resilience within Rwandan Rural Communities project - implemented by AVSI Rwanda and Rural Environment and Development Organization recently celebrated in Ruhango District.

The goal? To spark community action on environmental protection, soil conservation, and proper land management.

What made this day special was the interactive ways the messages were shared, ensuring that everyone, young and old, was actively engaged:

🌱 Role-play performance: Community volunteers staged a lively drama showing why planting and protecting trees matters, and how land plays a vital role in sustaining our environment.

🌱 Environmental ambassadors in action: Their energy and commitment helped drive the message home, inspiring others to join the cause.

🌱 Q&A session with prizes: Participants tested their knowledge on land use and tree planting. Winners proudly took home fruit tree seedlings to plant in their own compounds.

🌱 “Box Image” awareness sessions: Using innovative tree-education materials developed by community-based volunteers, participants explored how trees support ecosystems and livelihoods.

🌱 Relay Run game: Learning met fun through a community race, with prizes for the winners, reinforcing teamwork and the value of caring for the environment.

Through these engaging activities, the community not only learned land and trees matter, but also experienced how everyone can play a role in protecting the environment. Together, we continue to grow a greener, more resilient .

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Binyuze mu muhsinga wo kurengera ibidukikije, ushyirwa mu bikorwa na AVSI Rwanda ku bufatanye na Rural Environment and Development Organization ndetse na AVSI Rwwanda yizihije umunsi wihariwe ubutaka uwo munsi wizihirijwe mu karere ka Ruhango.

Intego nyamukuru yari ugukangurira abaturage kugira uruhare mu kurengera ibidukikije, kubungabunga ubutaka no gucunga neza imikoreshereze yabwo.

Icyatumye uyu munsi hakozwe ibikorwa bitandukanye mu gutanga ubutumwa, byatumye abantu bose abakiri bato n’abakuze bagira uruhare rugaragara:

🌱 Ikinamico : Abakorerabushake bo mu baturage berekanye ikinamico igaragaza akamaro ko gutera no kurengera ibiti, n’uruhare runini ubutaka bugira mu kubungabunga ibidukikije.

🌱 Ambasaderi b’ibidukikije mu bikorwa: Umurava n’ubwitange byabo byafashije kugeza ubutumwa kure, bituma n’abandi bashishikarizwa kwinjira muri uru rugendo.

🌱 Ikiganiro cy’ibibazo n’ibisubizo : Abitabiriye basuzumye ubumenyi bwabo ku ikoreshwa ry’ubutaka no gutera ibiti. Abatsinze batahanye ingemwe z’ibiti by’imbuto zo gutera mu ngo zabo.

🌱 Amasomo y’ubukangurambaga: Hakoreshejwe imfashanyigisho ku bidukikije byakozwe n’ abakorerabushake bo mu baturage, abitabiriye basobanukiwe uko ibiti bifasha urusobe rw’ibinyabuzima n’imibereho y’abaturage.

🌱 Umukino: Kwiga byahujwe n’ibyishimo binyuze mu isiganwa ry’abaturage, hatangwa ibihembo ku batsinze, bishimangira gukorera hamwe no kwita ku bidukikije.

Binyuze muri ibi bikorwa byimbitse kandi bishishikaje, abaturage ntibamenye gusa impamvu ubutaka n’ibiti bifite akamaro, ahubwo banabonye uko buri wese ashobora gutanga umusanzu mu kurengera ibidukikije.

AVSI
Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica

Through AVSI Rwanda’s Distance Support Program, Amuza trained in carpentry & welding, started his own workshop, and now even mentors young apprentices.

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Abifashijwemo na AVSI Rwanda binyuze mu mushinga Distance Support Program, Amuza yize ububaji n’ubusuderi, afungura ateriye ye bwite kandi ubu anafasha urubyiruko kwimenyereza umwuga.

AVSI

Last week AVSI Rwanda, through the Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung CARE project, organized a coordination meeting aimed at enhancing collaboration and the exchange of valuable information. The meeting brought together various institutions, including district hospitals, health centers and health professionals involved in the project. Its objective was to strengthen coordination, review the progress of mental health services provided to project participants, discuss challenges encountered, and collectively identify practical solutions.

During the meeting, AVSI Rwanda also presented the following results achieved so far:
6 Mental Health Gap Action Programme trainers and supervisors deployed across 3 district hospitals
44 health providers strengthened in 9 health centers
1,480 community volunteers engaged
98 local leaders mobilized
56 teachers trained in early detection of mental health disorders among students

By reinforcing collaboration among families, schools, communities, and health facilities, the project continues to contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and community-driven mental health system in .

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Mu cyumweru gishize AVSI Rwanda, ibinyujije mu mushinga wa Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung CARE, yateguye inama yo guhuza ibikorwa b**amije kuzamura ubufatanye no guhana amakuru nabatanyabikorwa mu mushinga . Iyi nama yahuje ibigo bitandukanye, birimo ibitaro by’uturere, ibigo nderabuzima n’inzobere mu buzima zigira uruhare muri uyu mushinga. Intego kwari ugushimangira guhuza ibikorwa, gusuzuma aho serivisi z'ubuzima bwo mu mutwe zihabwa abagenerwabikorwa bumushinga , kuganira ku mbogamizi bahuye nazo, no guhuriza hamwe ibitekerezo.

Muri iyo nama, AVSI Rwanda yabasangije ibyageweho kugeza ubu:
Abagera kuri 6 bahawe amahugurwa kubijyanye no Kwita ku Buzima bwo mu mutwe bakaba baroherejwe mubitaro 3 by’uturere.
Inzobere mu by’ubuzima 44 boherejwe mu bigo nderabuzima 9
Abakorerabushake 1,480 bari mubikorwa by’umushinga
Abayobozi 98 b'inzego z'ibanze bahawe inyigisho binyuze mubukangurambaga
Abarimu 56 bahuguwe mugutahura hakiri kare ibibazo byuburwayi bwo mumutwe mubanyeshuri

Mu gushimangira ubufatanye hagati yimiryango, amashuri, abaturage, n’ibigo nderabuzima, umushinga ukomeje gutanga umusanzu muri gahunda y’ubuzima bwo mu mutwe mu .

AVSI

AVSI Rwanda, through the Improved Green Culture and Climate Change Resilience within Rwandan Rural Communities project, distributed 150 improved cookstoves and briquettes to households in the sectors of Ruhango, Ntongwe, and Kinazi. This is part of a larger goal to reach 4,800 households by the end of the project in 2026. Improved cookstoves produce less smoke, helping families stay healthier and breathe cleaner air. They cook faster, use less firewood, save time and money, and reduce pressure on the environment. They also make kitchens safer and cleaner by lowering the risk of burns and house fires.

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AVSI Rwanda, binyuze mu mushinga wo guteza imbere umuco wo kurengera ibidukikije no guhangana n’imihindagurikire y’ikirere mu bice byicyaro cy’u Rwanda, mu mirenge ya Ruhango, Ntongwe, na Kinazi ingo 150 zahawe amashyiga yo guteka hamwe na briquettes. Iyi ni imwe mu ntego yo kuzageza amashyiga ku ngo 4800 mbere yuko umwaka wa 2026 urangira. Gutega kumashyiga bituma hagabanywa umwotsi, bifasha imiryango gukomeza kugira ubuzima bwiza no guhumeka umwuka mwiza. Bateka vuba, bagakoresha inkwi nke, bagakoresha igihe neza n'amafaranga make kubicanwa. Bituma batekera mu igikoni gitekanye kandi gifite isuku mukugabanya ibyago byo byinkongi z’umuriro.

AVSI
Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica

“I learned that I am strong, that my dreams matter, and that I can build a future for myself and my child.”

At just 17, Niyodusenga Rachel from Nyamiyaga Sector, Gicumbi District, joined the “La Valeur de la Vie” training by AVSI Rwanda through the Project, supported by Support International e.V.

During the training, Rachel strengthened her knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, discovered her inner strength, explored small business opportunities, and gained the confidence to plan her return to school next year.

Humura Shenge is a Kinyarwanda expression that means “The Resilience of Teenage Mothers”, reflecting the spirit of encouragement and hope that guides this project.

Today, Rachel believes in herself, her abilities, and her future. Like Rachel, many young mothers are rebuilding confidence, gaining knowledge, and nurturing their dreams.

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Yageze ati: “Nasobanukiwe ko ndi umukobwa ushoboye ndi uwagaciro kandi ko nshobora kubaka ejo hazaza hanjye n'umwana wanjye.”

Ku myaka 17 gusa, Niyodusenga Rachel wo mu Murenge wa Nyamiyaga, mu Karere ka Gicumbi, yitabiriye amahugurwa ya ndu uwagaciro "La Valeur de la Vie" yateguwe na AVSI Rwanda abinyujije mu mushinga ya Project, uterwa inkunga na Support e.V

Muri ayo mahugurwa, Rachel yashimangiyeko yungutse ubumenyi mu kwirinda virusi itera SIDA, kwigira nk’umwana w’umukobwa, yunguranye ibitekerezo n’abagenzibe bahuriye mu mahugurwa abona ko bishobokako yatangira ubucuruzi bucirirtse bityo akabona amafaranga yo kwita ku mwana, sibyo gusa avugako kandi ubu yagize icyizere cyo kuba yasubira mu ishuri umwaka utaha.

Rachel avugako kwitabira amahugurwa byatumye yongera kubonako nawe ashoboye kandi azaharanira guhesha ishema umuryango.

Last week, AVSI Rwanda, through the HumuraShenge Project supported by Support International e.V., brought together 85 adolescent mothers aged 12–17 from and GatsiboDistrict for a five-day training aimed at rebuilding strength, hope, and resilience.

The training aligns with the project’s mission to improve the resilience of adolescent mothers aged 12–19 who are victims of violence and to boost their self-esteem, enabling them to set and achieve positive goals for their future.

Through "la valeur de la vie" module, participants learned about the value of life, HIV/AIDS prevention, life skills, and income-generating opportunities to support their families. Many left encouraged to resume their education, start small businesses, and become active contributors to their communities.

On the final day, girls also accessed voluntary HIV testing, promoting awareness and responsibility for their health and future.

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AVSI Rwanda, ibinyujije mu mushinga wa uterwa inkunga na Support International e.V., wahuje ababyeyi 85 b'ingimbi bafite hagati ya 12-17 na Gicumbi na Gatsibo mu mahugurwa y'iminsi itanu agamije kubaka ubushobozi, ibyiringiro, no kwigira.

Amahugurwa nimwe mu ntego z'umushinga wo kunoza ubushobozi bw'ababyeyi b'ingimbi bafite imyaka 12–19 bahohotewe no mukushaho kwihesha agaciro, bibafasha kwishyiriraho no kugera ku ntego nziza z'ejo hazaza.

Binyuze mu mfashanyigisho “agaciro k'ubuzima”, abitabiriye amahugurwa bamenye agaciro k'ubuzima, kwirinda virusi itera SIDA, n'amahirwe bafite yo gukora ibyabateza imbere bagatunga gutunga imiryango yabo. Bamwe nyuma yamahugurwa bafashe icyemezo cyo gukomeza amashuri, gutangiza imishinga mito, no kugira uruhare rugaragara mumiryango yabo.

Ku munsi wanyuma, abakobwa nabo bitabiriye kwipimisha virusi itera sida kubushake.

Meet Ntabanganya Felix from Gasange Sector, GatsiboDistrict District. He joined the Distance Support Program in 2015 when he began bringing his child to Centre Uri Inzira due to malnutrition. At the center, parents were taught by health workers how to prepare balanced meals. Another child, 12-year-old Ntizadutererana Gilbert, was also identified as coming from a vulnerable family, and the program stepped in to support his school fees.

Later on, through the project, Felix received one pig. That single pig produced ten piglets, and by selling them, he was able to buy land for the first time in his life.

His journey didn’t stop there.
Felix joined savings groups, learned from others, and eventually received training in macadamia farming. With support from investors and access to markets, he began earning a steady income enough to build a house, purchase more land, and even rent additional houses for extra income.

Today, Felix harvests around 300 kg of macadamia nuts, buys and sells macadamia from other farmers, and transports it to Kigali as a local investor.
Most proudly, he is now able to pay university fees for his other children.

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Ntabanganya Felix atuye mu Murenge wa Gasange, Akarere ka GatsiboDistrict. Yinjiye muri poroguramu ya Distance support mu 2015 ubwo yatangiraga kuzana umwana we muri Centre Uri Inzira aho umwana we yaratangiye kugaragarwaho imirire mibi. Muri centre, ababyeyi bigishijwe n'abajyanama bubuzima uburyo bwo gutegura indyo yuzuye. Undi mwana, Ntizadutererana Gilbert wari ufite imyaka 12 y'amavuko na we yishyuriwe amafarabga y’ishuli abanza nayisumbuye, binyuze muri porugaramu ya DSP.

Nyuma, binyuze mumushinga, Felix yakiriye ingurube imwe. Iyo ngurube imwe yabyaye ingurube icumi, aho mu kuzigurisha, yashoboye kugura isambu bwa mbere mu buzima bwe.

Urugendo rwe ntirwagarukiye aho.

Felix yinjiye mu matsinda yo kuzigama, yigira ku bandi, aza no guahabwa amahugurwa mu buhinzi bwa macadamiya. Abifashijwemo n'abashoramari no kugera ku masoko, yatangiye kwinjiza amafaranga ahagije yo kubaka inzu, kugura amasambu menshi.

Uyu munsi, Felix asarura ibiro 300 by'imbuto za macadamiya, agura akanagurisha macadamiya ku bandi bahinzi, akazijyana i Kigali nk'umushoramari.

Ikintu kimunezeza cyane nuko kuri ubu abasha kwishyurira abandi bana be amafaranga y’ishuli muri kaminuza.

AVSI