Children Affected By HIV/AIDS

Sponsor CHABHA on the AIDS Walk New York

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:51:00 +0000

Sponsor me as I walk on behalf of CHABHA in this years AIDS Walk New York.

CHABHA projects in Rwanda and Burundi

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:55:00 +0000

CHABHA video of projects with our partner organizations in Rwanda and Burundi.

New York City Benefit Thursday March 29th at 6:00 PM

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:44:00 +0000

Please join us for a CHABHA Fundraiser
An evening of food, drink and discussion with

David Loewenguth the Executive Director as he
shares CHABHA’s holistic approach at building
resilience, independence and providing hope to
more than 2700 children in Rwanda and Burundi
impacted by the AIDS pandemic.
Learn how you can make a difference in a child’s life.
Thank you, Shali and David
CHABHA (Children Affected By HIV/AIDS) is a 501(c)3 International Non-Government
Organization that partners with community based grassroots organizations.

Date: Thursday, March 29th 2012

Time: 6:00 PM
Place: West Village Auto Repair
743 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10014

RSVP Shali at 212.691.2020 or ShaliDean@live.com
David at 516.885.7996 or david@chabha.org

Sponsors:

Meme Mediterranean
Atomic Wings
Butter Lane Cupcakes

www.chabha.org

New York City Benefit March 29, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:13:00 +0000

New York City Benefit

Wishing all of you a Happy Valentines Day.

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0000

A Valentine Wish

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:56:00 +0000

Muraho (Hello) Friends of CHABHA,

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s a good time to do something for the ones you love. How about this?

Instead of $30 for a box of chocolates, that same amount could buy a goat for a child-headed household which would generate an income and nutrition. $50 for a bouquet of roses could also provide health insurance for 5 children for a year. For $100 – a dinner out - you could provide rabbits for 5 households to start “rabbit husbandry” business.

It takes astonishingly little money to accomplish a great deal for the children of CHABHA! For your gift to CHABHA your beloved will receive a Valentine of Appreciation from CHABHA in his or her honor.

If you would like make this a Valentine that lasts all year long. Please click on the “Donate Now” button to set up a recurring Valentine to someone you love.

Murakoze (Thank You), from the children and trustees of CHABHA

VPR News: Vermont Educator Directs AIDS Program In Africa

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:26:00 +0000

VPR News: Vermont Educator Directs AIDS Program In Africa

Authors@Google: Dr. Susanna W. Grannis

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:13:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:36:00 +0000

The Story of One Exceptional Mother

This Mothers Day I want to tell you the story of Immaculate, a woman that touched my heart.

I am always honored to meet the mamas of the children CHABHA supports. Due to the AIDS crisis in sub-Sahara Africa, several children are taken care of by grandmothers, aunts and neighbors. I have met some remarkably strong women who provide love, and security for these children under very difficult and challenging conditions. On this recent trip to Burundi, I had a chance to visit with one of these women.

Immaculate, is the only surviving child of her family. She cares for her 10 nieces and nephews that have been orphaned by AIDS. She is a beautiful young woman with a welcoming smile. She has never married and has no children of her own. She lives with these children in her 10 by 12 foot one room home. On the day we visited Immaculate she was dealing with a collapsed roof of her small home, and it was about to rain. A man was trying to provide a temporary solution and all the sleeping mats were stacked outside of the home. After a quick inspection, the leaders organized the children to move the mats into another unit. During all of this, Immaculate quickly welcomed us into her mother’s home and instructed the children to make the proper introductions with the rain pouring into her home next door.

With the house temporarily secured and the children inside, the afternoon quickly became an opportunity to share about the children’s recent report cards and success in school. We also discussed in great detail the new business Immaculate has started with the assistance of a micro finance loan from CHABHA. Immaculate created a business of buying goats and selling them to local restaurants in Bujumbura at a profit of about $8.00 per goat. The income from her business has provided food for the children and some security for the future. This success has allowed her to pay back the loan to CHABHA which qualifies her for a larger loan from a microfinance institution in Burundi, that will assist her in growing her business.

This Mothers Day in honor of all the exceptional mothers around the world please donate in honor of your exceptional mother to help CHABHA continue our important work in Rwanda and Burundi.

Tutoring and movies at IWACU

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:03:00 +0000

It is Good Friday morning and the children would not miss a day at IWACU for tutoring.

During the school holidays the children enjoy coming to IWACU to read books from Susanna Grannis Library and get tutored in all subjects. This holiday we also had the new projector that was purchased with money raised from our long time friend of CHABHA Karen Johnson and her friends in Colorado. The children have been enjoyed watching the wonderful dvds from Suzanne Abruzzo on the new projector.

The AMAHORO Association is working with a film maker from the UK on a documentary about AMAHORO and last week using the new projector had a preview. I look forward to sharing this wonderful documentary with all of you soon.

AJESOV Life Skills Workshops and Home Visits.

noreply@blogger.com (David) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:02:00 +0000

This trimester break the Ajesov Association conducted a one day Life Skills Workshop for the beneficiaries. The topics taught and discussed by the leaders and consultants were on education and development, HIV prevention and Child Rights. The association anticipated 150 children for the all day program that included a lunch. That morning we had heavy rains that delayed the start of the workshop and prevented only a few from coming. The walk for some children can be two hours. The leaders also collected the report cards of the children to document this last periods results.

I was able to make two trips to Nyamata for home visits with Ajesov this month. The focus of the home visits was to access the kitchen garden project Ajesov implemented last year. The leaders worked with the heads of the households to develop sustainable food projects for the households and potential income generating. The challenge in Nyamata or the Bugasera District is the weather, it can be very hot and dry depending where you are. The poor soil and lack of water forces many homes to plant cassava that does well with these. However cassava has limited nutritional value and the demand to supply is very low.

CHABHA Rwanda is looking at creating partnerships to train households in developing the cultivating projects in all the associations.

CHABHA Activities 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Mubafashe January 2011 Report

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:17:00 +0000

17^th, January, 2011

SUBMISSION OF MISSION REPORT

I hereby submit the mission report compiled by Richard KABALISA after traveling to BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI and visiting MUBAFASHE Association on 9^th, January, 2011.

1. Leadership status

The Association of 70 children is led by Francine KAREMERA with four other young women in the executivecommittee. The five were college roommates and all are graduate school, three in medicine and one in psychology, and one a math/IT.

From left to right: Francine, Christelle, Lysette, Joy, Annick.

President: Francine KAREMERA and she is also in charge of projects development.

Vice president: Joy MUSARAGANYA and she is also in charge of health.

Treasurer: Annick MUSARAGANYA and she is in charge of home visits.

Education in charge: Lysette GAHIMBARE.

Home Visits in charge: Christelle NGORORE.

Currently, the leaders have the legal documents such as: Bylaws, Internal rules and regulations, a well as District agreement. I met the leaders and children the same day Sunday, January 9, 2011 afternoon around 3:00pm, where they used to meet every Sunday for fun, music, helpful group activities and exchange, hence chasing out sorrow and loneliness from the hearts of children.

“Fellow citizens, why do you turn and scrap every stone to gather wealth and to take so little care of your children to whom one day, you must relinquish it all?” Socrates

Burundi is one of the world’s most impoverished states. The 70 children of MUBAFASHE Association are among the most disadvantaged for they represent the poorest of Burundi’s children and suffer from the loss of their parents. Members of MUBAFASHE Association include children who have been orphaned by AIDS, both double and single orphans, children living with other HIV⁺ adult relatives or family friends, in child headed households.

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible,

and suddenly you are doing the impossible”

It is impressive how activities of just a small Association like MUBAFAFHE have a big impact on the lives of a big number of children.

I interviewed a couple of them, to weigh up whether they are pleased about the aid or not, and left with a total happiness of the beneficiaries.

2. Financial status

I asked the leaders of MUBAFASHE Association whether they have some other initiatives (or innovations), they told me that: One, they think to train children to dance traditionally and modern dance to play during wedding ceremonies, theatre,… and get paid in return, that older children could manage without interfering with their education and would be profitable, for them and all the children of MUBAFASHE.

Again, they think to rent land to cultivate crops, the purpose will be to provide salaries to parents who do the work and to the older children as well and to raise funds for MUBAFASHE for emergency food.

MUBAFASHE Association has also started cooperative enterprises whereby twenty women and men have been given money and are split into groups according to their fellow feeling (affinity). There are 7 groups: two groups of five persons, one group of four persons, one group of three persons, three groups of one person.Group members buy and sell goods (e. g pigtail) in the neighborhood and at shops in town. At the end of week, group members assess the work, initiate small stipends as art of the loan and pay-back of the loan from profit.

I interviewed a couple of them and I was impressed by one woman after getting the loan in September, by December has completed the loan return and continuing her business. I talked to those men and women, they are acknowledging very much MUBAFASHE support, not only in terms of the loan but also in the programs that MUBAFASHE offers, like education, health, Sunday gatherings and home visits.

“No person was ever honored for what he received.

Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”

3. Challenges

Although MUBAFASHE Association is doing such a great job, some problems encountered: One is the Office work constraint; they need at least one permanent office worker like administrative Assistance.

Again, for the men and women received the loan, they want loan increase and have one or two week training period before they start their business.

Home visits

noreply@blogger.com (David Loewenguth) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:01:00 +0000

Recent trip to Rwanda and Burundi

noreply@blogger.com (David Loewenguth) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 20:22:00 +0000

I have recently returned from 5 weeks in Rwanda and was fortunate not to have traveled alone. This trip I was accompanied by Katria and Eric Weckenbrock from The Snowbowl Ski Patrol in Montana, and my cousin Patrick McGlynn a film student at San Francisco's School of Visual Arts.

Katrina and Eric were visiting Africa to attend the World Cup and included Rwanda in their travels. Katrina asked if they could meet with CHABHA and the associations when in Rwanda. Together we decided the associations could use a First Aid workshop. With the help of The Snowbowl Ski Patrol they provided each association with very complete First Aid kits and conducted First Aid workshops for the leaders and some of the older children. Now at the the gatherings the First Aid Kit is brought along with the footballs and jump ropes. Katrina and Eric commented on how well the participants did in the workshops. Watch for the videos.

My cousin Patrick volunteered his summer to travel to Rwanda and film the projects CHABHA is supporting in Rwanda and Burundi. His days were spent traveling with the leaders to activities, home visits, gatherings and workshops. He also volunteered to be the video guy for the wedding of Justin and Jeannette. Justin has been a member of AMAHORO and is one of the leaders on the AMAHORO committee.

AMAHORO with the help of "The Global Fund for Children" started up a new activity called "Ubufatanye" which means "Helping Hands". Each month AMAHORO will identify a family in need of assistance at their home. The first project was to assist a home with making mud bricks to build a kitchen. 80 children participated making almost 200 bricks for the new kitchen. The children are taught that working together they can accomplish more and to give back to their community.

AMAHORO has also been successful in creating a sustainable rabbit project in Bumbogo. The first 14 families to receive rabbits turned over the next generation of rabbits to 11 families. Each family when receiving rabbits signs a contract agreeing to provide proper structure and food for the rabbits, they also agree to pass on part of the first generation of rabbits to a household in need identified by the AMAHORO committee. After that the families raise the rabbits for their own consumption and sale.

AJESOV has begun a kitchen garden project using the emergency food money to purchase seeds and tools. To date they have 77 households with kitchen gardens. This complements the "Goat Project" AJESOV introduced two years ago. Last years AJESOV did a workshop that focused on kitchen gardens for the older children that was well received.

AGAPE has established a strong committee of women that look after the children at the weekly gatherings and make home visits. The children's report cards overall were fantastic and Anna Marie (AGAPE Administrative Assistant) is doing a wonderful job developing this committee and providing care for the children. Thanks to Patrick's mother we were able to bring some footballs from the states that we gave to the AGAPE association and had great fun playing at the gatherings. The playground equipment needed some attention and thanks to my Mom we got it fixed and the children have a merry-go-round again.

Fortunately we had time to visit the Mubafashee association in Bujambura, Burundi. We attended the weekly Sunday gathering and again had some footballs for them to enjoy. The children and many parents and grandparents came to the gathering. The five leaders of the association are well organized and have secured an office space that is accessible to the members. They have been successful at identifying the academic needs of the children by visiting the schools and accessing the progress. They have also identified an organization in Bujumbura that will provide free counseling and HIV testing for the members of Mubafashee. While in Bujumbura we visited a bank that will work with the association members to begin a micro finance program assisting the households in small business enterprises. The bank will provide training and monitoring of the activities. Burundi is one of the op 10 poorest nations in the world with one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children. We are very fortunate to have established a presence there.

We had a second wedding to attend in Kigali. Richard Mutabazi CHABHA's Country Director and his beautiful wife Eliana. Another joyous occasion that brought all the CHABHA staff and Associations together

Will keep you posted on additional activities we started while in Kigali this trip. Thank yu for taking the time to read the blog.

David

David Loewenguth shares his thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (David Loewenguth) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:20:00 +0000

Over the past seven years we have all been fortunate to make a difference in the lives of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS thanks to Dr Susanna Grannis’s commitment and hard work for the advocacy of vulnerable children in sub Sahara Africa at a time in her life when many of her peers were enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Her work with CHABHA has made an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of children, bringing them opportunities for a better future.

I have had the great pleasure of learning from Susanna over the past year and a half, that showing up and caring for these children is in itself an extraordinary gift. Her love and compassion for the children and her love for the work she does on a daily basis have no boundaries. On two trips Susanna made to Rwanda during the time I lived there, it was non-stop day and night networking with organizations on behalf of the programs CHABHA supports in Rwanda and Burundi. Spending days on long bus rides, working with the leaders and visiting the homes of the children, attending gatherings and workshops, always taking notes to follow up with solutions and to keep us informed of the important work being done with the associations. Only when it was time to get back on a plane, and she had accomplished all she could do in her short visit would I see her reluctantly close her eyes and rest.

The model that Susanna, the CHABHA staff and leaders of AMAHORO, AJESOV, AGAPE and MUBAFASHEE have worked so hard on over the years has made a measurable difference in over 2700 children’s lives all on a remarkably modest budget. Our continued commitment to support the independence of these children and the support for those we have not met is important and will go on thanks to Susanna.

Continuing Susanna’s remarkable work requires renewed commitment from all of us who share the ideals and vision she has tirelessly pursued for the well-being of the children. As we begin a new phase in the life of CHABHA, and grow a unique model that has proven to be sustainable and successful, we need your help. I am asking you to make a donation to CHABHA today in honor of Susanna so that this important and vital work can continue. On behalf of the children who depend on us, I thank you.

noreply@blogger.com (David Loewenguth) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:38:00 +0000

A note from Susanna Grannis

There is so much to tell you about what is happening in the Rwandan and Burundi projects. I will only briefly say that in my last trip to the projects, in November 2009, I found a great deal of energy, forward movement, and participation at all levels. A new library, the bakery in Bumbogo, a house with children coming to draw, sew, read, and wash their feet! The leaders are deeply committed to their young charges, and all are doing well.

As many friends of CHABHA know, we are undergoing a positive change here in the US. I am stepping away as Executive Director and do so with tremendous gratitude to so many of you for your interest and support in CHABHA over the years. Some of you were there at the start, in 2003-4, when we did not know where and how we would continue. Together we took a lot of risks, and for your willingness to do so I am deeply appreciative.

In the years since then CHABHA has grown in definition and vision. Because of the trust among the children, between children and leaders, among leaders and staff, and between all with the US leadership and friends, we have created a really viable, successful model of youth helping children in need. Because we care, we have listened to one another, appreciated different points of view, and have been able to respond to the children’s real needs. I am proud of what CHABHA has accomplished and know it has happened because of so many great people.

It became clear to me last year that CHABHA needed new leadership that would support

CHABHA’s growth and development. To change from one kind of leader to the next provides for positive change. I have said goodbye to my colleagues and friends of all ages in Rwanda and Burundi with, I confess, something of a heavy heart.

Fortunately, CHABHA has a new leader with great potential for moving CHABHA forward. As you come to know David Loewenguth, you will see that he is the perfect next ED. David spent 10 months of 2009 as a volunteer in Rwanda. The children, their leaders, and the CHABHA-Rwanda staff learned a great deal from him, and the level of caring was very evident. The Board of Directors has recognized in David someone who can take CHABHA forward. David’s presence makes my leave taking so much easier!

I know you will want to continue your interest and support for David’s leadership with CHABHA.

2 nd Annual CHABHA Sock Hop

noreply@blogger.com (David Loewenguth) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:17:00 +0000

CHABHA is having our Second Annual Sock Hop in Brattlboro to Benefit CHABHA.

When: May 8th

Time: 7 PM

Where: American Legion Hall Brattleboro, VT

What's Happening: Silent Auction, Dance to the sounds of

WHO WE ARE

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:58:00 +0000

• First, we are the children of the CHABHA projects.

There are 2678 of us in four associations,
300 in AGAPE in Kicukiro, Kigali, Rwanda
265 in AJESOV in Nyamata, Rwanda
2050 in AMAHORO, 1600 in Kucyiru, Kigali and 450 in Bumbogo, Rwanda,
and 63 in Mubafashee, Bujumbura, Burundi

For these children, their association is an extension of their family. For many, it is their family. Many say, about their leaders and friends, They are like my parents. Being with them takes away the loneliness.

Irene and her siblings were beneficiaries of their association for several years. Now as an elected leader of AMAHORO Association, she told her story,
"Mommy died in 2003 and Daddy died in 1999. I felt life was difficult because I was so young and orphaned with the responsibility of raising my brothers. I found AMAHORO in 2004 when I was 16 years old when a neighbor told me about the association and showed me where to find it. I met Emile and wrote a letter and told them my story, and they received me into the association and paid my school fees. They visited at my home and advised me on being a child heading a household. They taught me how to protect myself and younger brothers from HIV. They gave me emotional support to raise my brothers."

• We are also leaders of the associations. Like Irene, many of us "grew up" as beneficiaries and finished school with help from CHABHA. We love working with younger children.

Patrick tells what it is like to be a leader,
"I like the new position because it gives me the opportunity to counsel and continue to advise the children. I want to continue to work in home visits, discuss the challenges that families have that have been affected by HIV. I feel sharing my story with other children that have similar challenges can help. I help them find financial support, receive food, and direct them to CNLS that provides health care for people living with HIV."

• We are the young people learning trades in Project Independence. Each year since 2006 over 100 of us have learned to cook, to do hairdressing, to sew, to fix cars, to build furniture, to weld, to wait on table, to do plumbing, and more.

Here is what Eric, then a student in Project Independence, said,
"I am 19, a genocide survivor. One parent survived, but she passed away later." What does your live look like now? "I cannot find a way to express my feelings. I met many friends (in Project Independence) and we talk sometimes about the experiences before. I used to think about suicide because life was so hard. Now I think God. It is not easy to describe how difficult life was. I do not mean that now it is perfect but you cannot compare the two situations."

Many Project Independence graduates have jobs, and a few have borrowed money from CHABHA to start their own businesses. Up in the village of Bumbogo there is a bakery where 5 graduates, plus a technician on loan for a couple of months, bake, and sell (!), 50 loaves a day. Many of the breads are delivered by bicycle, some two hours from the bakery.

• We are the teachers in Project Independence. Teaching young people means a lot to us because we know we are making a difference in the lives of our students.

• We are the CHABHA-Rwanda staff, and we share a house with the AMAHORO Association and lots of children.

This is what Richard Mutabazi, CHABHA-Rwanda Director, said,

“Working with CHABHA is a blessing: you support the most vulnerable children and you can see the results in a very short time. Take the example of some children who have been trained in hotels and restaurants a few months ago and have jobs now; they are now financially independent and one can't understand how wonderful it is receiving their phone call saying: ‘we just wanted to check out with you and say thank you, we are doing well.’ ”

We are also visitors and volunteers who come to the CHABHA projects. We make a difference and learn a lot.

This is what volunteer Mim Shafer said,

“CHABHA has allowed countless children to develop their own creative capacities as students, leaders, care-givers, readers, speakers and inquisitive and positive members of their society. The core values of trust and unbiased assistance, created as the pillars of CHABHA's mission to serve and support, have certainly been successful. To witness children and young adults gathering in song, dance and discussion each week is to witness a great change and to conquer vast stigma that would ordinarily be attached to these people.”

• And we are the folks in the US - the Executive Director, Assistant, and Board of Directors.

This is what members of the Board of Directors said,

Hilary Ware, "When, through CHABHA, we create a chance for a child to improve her own life, the ripple effect spreads to her family, across the country and the continent."

 Eric Rwabuhihi, former Director, CHABHA-Rwanda, "As a field worker for CHABHA, I liked that when we worked with our partners; there was equal participation; we worked together to encourage children to take the first step to solve their problems."

 Nancy Segall, "What I like best about my participation in CHABHA is that, despite the enormity of the need in Africa's emerging economies, modest contributions can really make a difference in the lives of individual children."

Belinda Whipple Worth, "I love and so appreciate that CHABHA is lean and efficient; that it addresses the holistic needs of children, in the present, and with the goal of helping them achieve independent futures. "

• And, we are CHABHA’s friends and donors....
Please join us, and please donate to help assure these children’s futures.

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:28:00 +0000

This is the draft of the new website/blog, prepared with help from my son, Will. Please write back -- and you can use the email address at the left. Remember, you can add comments to the blog itself. For example, we will add an upcoming pot luck at St. Michaels for the November travelers to share their experiences. Also the Quilt auction in Feb. and anything anyone wants.
The Photo Gallery is not finished. It may drastically change.
Two questions:
General reaction to the format.
Specific suggestions -- if you have specific suggestions, please write them in detail. I will try to incorporate people's thoughts as best I can.
This change costs CHABHA nothing. Before, when we had to change, it took two weeks and cost money.
Susanna

Happy New Year from CHABHA

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:24:00 +0000

To all our friends, near and far, many thanks for your donations to CHABHA.

Your generosity means that the children and leaders of the projects CHABHA supports will continue to benefit.

Happy New Year to all,

Susanna Grannis
Executive Director

What your gift will accomplish

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:46:00 +0000

A GIFT OF $30 WILL PROVIDE...
• One goat for a child-headed household
• School costs for one primary school student

A GIFT OF $50 WILL PROVIDE...
• Annual health insurance for five children
• One months rent for weekly gathering of children

A GIFT OF $100 WILL PROVIDE...
• Rabbits for 5 households to start a rabbit husbandry project
• Materials, tools, seeds and training for two kitchen gardens

A GIFT OF $150 WILL PROVIDE...

• Three month stipend will cover transportation cost for association leader to conduct home visits bring solace and comfort to the children

A GIFT OF $400 WILL PROVIDE...
• Secondary school fees, food and housing for one student for one year
• One months rent for CHABHA office and library

A GIFT OF $500 WILL PROVIDE...

• Will provide a micro-finance loan for 10 households in Bujumbura, Burundi to start a small business

A GIFT OF $1000 WILL PROVIDE...

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Welcome to the new CHABHA, Children Affected by HIV/AIDS, website/blog!

We invite you to take a few minutes to learn about our work. For example, you can click on the film below on the left to be introduced. Or, by clicking on one of the buttons just above this message, you can learn what we do, who we are, the individual projects, and more. We have included links to similar projects on the left. Our Board of Directors members and staff are listed down on the left as well. Check us out and, please, if you can, click on the Donate button to help this work continue. Your gifts help CHABHA support grassroots projects that support orphaned children's development and ultimate independence.

Picture Galley

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:55:00 +0000

One of the participants in the workshop.

Many young women will stay home from school during their period because of the lack of proper menstrual pads. This pattern of missing school regularly leads to dropping out all together for many young women.

Young members of the AMAHORO and AJESOV Associations learning to make reusable sanitary femine hygene pads with CHABHA volunteer Mim Shafer that visited Rwanda for 6 weeks in the fall of 2009.

Text here

Projects

noreply@blogger.com (Susanna) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:51:00 +0000

CHABHA supports three associations of children and a vocational training program in Rwanda and one association of children in Burundi. The associations have several activities in common, activities that combine into the “CHABHA model”. The common features are:

• Young adults leaders from the community
• Weekly gatherings for singing, dancing, games, and lessons on important matters like HIV prevention
• Home visits to ascertain family needs, to give advice, and to show concern and care
• Life Skills Workshops to build community, to teach about growth and development, to discuss HIV prevention, to have fun
• Health cards purchased (Rwandan projects only)
• School costs
• Emergencies

Each project has unique features:

AGAPE is in the Kicukiro section of Kigali, Rwanda. 8 percent of the 300 children are HIV +. This project is faith-based, and the children hear Bible stories and sing songs at their gatherings.

A group of boys began a rabbit farming enterprise in 2008. They give baby rabbits to other children in AGAPE, and they sell some. They have raised money for shoes, school, and their families.

AGAPE has playground equipment at their gathering place, thanks to a fund raising drive at Northfield-Mt. Hermon in 2007.

AJESOV, Association of Volunteer Youth Helping Orphans Affected, includes very poor children. Of the 263 children, 8.8 percent are HIV+.

The children live with remaining relatives, in child-headed households, or with friends of their parents. A micro-finance program with the heads of families has had a constant return rate of over 90 percent. Each family has received a goat, and most have had several kids that the families sell. In 2009 new leaders were elected, and all are busy helping as much as possible.

Begun in 2000 AMAHORO Association is the oldest children’s association in Rwanda. It is also the longest in partnership with CHABHA -- since 2003. In addition to CHABHA, the Global Fund for Children has granted support to AMAHORO for school costs, home visits, and leadership training. The new leadership group has several former beneficiaries.

The AMAHORO offices are in the house, IWACU (Our Place), shared with the CHABHA-Rwanda staff. There are spaces for meetings and school work. A Resource Room has many children’s books in English (Rwandan schools now use English.), crayons, and paper; there is wool for knitting. An electric sewing machine is used for making goods to sell. Children can wash themselves at IWACU.

In 2008-2009 many families were dispersed from their homes in Kucyiro, a section of Kigali, out into the hills and mountains. While some have been found, even in 2009 the leaders are seeking former members. The leaders found many children with family members in a village high in the mountains above Kigali, Bumbogo. The model of providing holistic support to children by young adults was applied to this village, and the AMAHORO group there is thriving.

Mubafashee (Help Them) is the name of the small association in Bujumbura, Burundi. 63 very poor children from outlying areas of the city gather weekly and receive school support from CHABHA. A Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation grant will provide the association with funds to fully implement the CHABHA model. It will also include funds for much needed food and medical care, as most of the children are malnourished.

The fifth project is Project Independence, the vocational training program. Begun in 2006, local business leaders agree to take on interns for periods of training. The interns come from the associations (above) and learn trades. CHABHA is constantly modifying the program and encouraging new enterprises.