Table of Contents
I. Program Activities Overview
A. Caring for HIV Positive People (CHIVPP)
In March 2025, FWA continued its comprehensive support for HIV positive individuals through regular medical follow-up and home visits. This program ensures that patients receive continuous care and support in their treatment journey.
Key Activity: Home Visits
Regular home visits conducted for medical follow-up and psychosocial support
B. Ntaseka Clinic Maternity Ward
The Ntaseka maternity ward continues to provide essential services to the community. While some medical equipment is still needed, both delivery and hospitalization services are currently functional, significantly improving maternal healthcare access.
- • Delivery services
- • Hospitalization services
- • Prenatal consultations
Additional medical equipment required for optimal service delivery
C. Improving Women's Reproductive Health (IWRH)
SRH Awareness Activity - March 27, 2025
On March 27, 2025, FWA organized a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health awareness-raising activity for 100 women of reproductive age who are members of self-help groups in Kamenge. This initiative is part of the Health System Strengthening (HSS) program.
Activity Details:
- Time: 3:00 PM at Ntaseka Health Center
- Facilitators: FWA medical staff and laboratory worker
- Participants: 100 women from SHGs in Kamenge
Main Activities:
- 1. Question-and-answer session on prenatal care and postpartum family planning
- 2. Interactive discussion on early prenatal consultation and FP methods
- 3. Assessment of participants' SRH knowledge
- 4. Prize distribution to encourage engagement
Participant Testimonies:
"Before this training, I didn't know that family planning methods were available free of charge at the Ntaseka clinic. Now, I am better informed and ready to talk about them with my husband." - Annick
"I have already lost a baby due to a lack of prenatal care. Today, I better understand the importance of medical follow-up during pregnancy." - Jeanne
Staff Perspectives:
Augustin, FWA Midwife: "Women are increasingly open to discussing SRH, but there is still work to be done to demystify certain beliefs and taboos."
Aline, FWA Laboratory Technician: "This activity has built trust between the SHGs' members women and our team. We now need to follow up to see if they are applying the knowledge acquired."
Challenges Encountered:
- Cultural Taboos: Some women expressed reluctance to openly discuss family planning due to cultural beliefs
- Lack of Male Partners: Few men participate in SRH discussions, complicating FP program adherence
Recommendations:
- Intensify Awareness-Raising: Organize more frequent sessions in remote areas
- Include Men: Implement specific activities to raise awareness among husbands
- Facilitate Access to Care: Develop strategies like mobile clinics for better accessibility
Success Stories:
Marie, 29 years old: Was reluctant to use contraceptive methods due to community myths. After the session, she adopted a family planning method and convinced other women in her support group to discuss it with healthcare professionals.
Chantal, mother of three: Understood the importance of prenatal care during the session. Pregnant with her fourth child, she booked a prenatal appointment the next day and shared her experience with other women in her neighborhood.
Conclusion: The awareness-raising activity was a success with active participation of 100 women. The collected stories show positive impact, although challenges remain. FWA is committed to continuing its efforts to improve SRH and women's empowerment in Burundi.
D. Rape Survivors' Support (RSS)
Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
| SHG Total Number | New SHGs This Month | Total Members |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | - | Multiple groups |
HROC Three-Day Training Workshop (March 19-21, 2025)
FWA conducted a Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) workshop to provide trauma healing and psychosocial support.
Powerful Testimony:
Gloriose's Story:
"My name is Gloriose. I was married when I was very young. My mother-in-law didn't understand why I was not giving birth to a child. She was so mean to me... My husband beat me to death until I was hospitalized. He wanted me to die in the hospital... That's why I have nowhere to go. For the moment, it is my three first daughters who protect me when my husband wants to beat me. Thank you very much for this workshop because I have just had an opportunity to share my pain."
E. Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center (WSEEC)
FWA has continued construction of the Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center. This project aims to provide training rooms and a temporary safe shelter for gender-based violence survivors at the FWA headquarters.
Project Cost
$200,000
Funds Mobilized
$56,600
Funding Partners:
- African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI): $21,600
- Canadian Friends Service Committee (CFSC): $10,000
- Segal Family Foundation (SFF): $25,000
Current Progress:
In March and early April 2025, we began fitting out three offices on the ground floor before continuing construction upwards.
F. Action on Gender-Based Violence (AGBV)
Small Projects Support
In March 2025, FWA supported small projects initiated by gender-based violence survivors. This initiative comes from the project "Connecting the Global to the Local: Strengthening Women's Leadership for the Localization of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on 'Women, Peace and Security'."
Partnership:
In partnership with American Friends Service Committee, supported by United Nations Peace Building Fund
"Faithful Home" Workshop
Under the support of Faith to Action Network, FWA organized a three-day workshop on the "Faithful home" approach for 10 married couples where the wives are GBV most grave cases. The workshop took place from March 20 to 22, 2025 at Naimani hotel in Gitega province.
Success Story:
NTAWUHORAHIRIWE Désiré and NTIRAMPEBA Spes Caritas
Married for 25 years with five children. They previously lived in Tanzania as refugees without problems. Issues began when they returned to Ruhororo Ngozi.
Désiré's testimony: "The themes of communication and economic responsibility touched me deeply. I didn't share information about my money with my wife. My wife took care of all household chores. This caused many disagreements. Now I understand, we will make decisions together."
Spes' testimony: "I was deeply hurt by my husband. He left the family, leaving his wife and children behind... I had a difficult time with my children... Over the course of our time together, we all talked, and I forgave him. We will begin our life as a couple as before in Tanzania."
II. Medical Services Statistics - March 2025
Medical Consultations
Doctor Consultations
88 Cases
• 24 adults (3 men, 21 women)
• 8 children (2 boys, 6 girls)
• 12 HIV positive people
• 44 pregnant women for ultrasound
Nurse Consultations
242 Patients
• 172 adults
• 70 children
Laboratory Services
Total tests conducted in March (excluding HIV voluntary testing): 356 tests
| Test Type | Completed | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria Test (G.E.) | 71 | 28 | 43 |
| Quick Malaria Test | 33 | 8 | 25 |
| Urine Test (ECBU) | 23 | 19 | 4 |
| Stool Test | 17 | 15 | 2 |
| Pregnancy Test | 36 | 8 | 28 |
| Typhoid Fever (Sero-widal) | 58 | 9 | 49 |
| Diabetes (Glycémie) | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| Syphilis (RPR VDRL) | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Complete Blood Count | 62 | 23 | 39 |
| Hepatitis B | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Hepatitis C | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| Total Tests | 356 |
Family Planning Services
633 People Served
Contraceptives provided by FWA's nurse
455
Old Cases
178
New Cases
410
Contraceptive Injections
37
Pills
150
Male Condoms
4
UID
32
Implants
Prenatal Consultation (PNC)
55 Women
Received prenatal consultations in March
18
PNC 1
16
PNC 2
16
PNC 3
5
PNC 4
Ultrasound Tests: 44 pregnant women received ultrasound tests
Anti-Retroviral Treatment Site
330 Patients
Under ARV treatment at Ntaseka Clinic (End of March)
267
Women
63
Men
Pharmacy Services
Medication Procurement
FWA was able to purchase the minimum needed medicine for March operations
Psychosocial Services
58 People
Tested for HIV with pre and post-test counseling
| Total People Tested | 58 |
| Women Tested | 48 (83%) |
| Average Age | 33 years |
| Median Age | 30.5 years |
| Total HIV+ | 3 |
| Total HIV- | 55 |
| Women HIV+ | 3 |
| Total Seropositivity Rate | 5% |
| Women Tested HIV+ Rate | 6% |
III. Photo Galleries
Conclusion: March 2025 Achievements
March 2025 was a month of significant achievements and progress for Friends Women's Association. The organization successfully:
- Provided comprehensive medical services to 330 patients on ARV treatment and conducted 356 laboratory tests
- Educated 100 women on sexual and reproductive health through interactive awareness sessions
- Conducted trauma healing workshops for gender-based violence survivors
- Made significant progress on the Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center construction
- Supported 10 couples through the "Faithful Home" workshop for GBV prevention
The success stories shared by beneficiaries like Gloriose, Marie, Chantal, and the couple Désiré and Spes demonstrate the transformative impact of FWA's work on individual lives. While challenges such as cultural taboos and limited male participation in SRH discussions persist, FWA remains committed to addressing these through continued awareness-raising and inclusive programming.
"FWA's holistic approach—combining healthcare, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support—continues to create sustainable change in the lives of women and communities across Burundi."