I. Friends Peace Teams Event
Virtual Gathering for Peace
On December 13, 2025, Friends Women's Association participated in a virtual gathering with all African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) partners to share stories about peace work in different communities.
Key Highlights:
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Platform: Virtual Gathering
- Memorial: Honored late David Zarembka's peace work
- Focus: Knowledge sharing and mutual learning
The gathering provided an inspiring opportunity for partners across the Great Lakes region to learn from each other's experiences and strengthen collaborative peace-building efforts.
II. Program Activities & Impact
A. Caring for HIV Positive People (CHIVPP)
Throughout December, FWA and Ntaseka Clinic provided comprehensive medical follow-up and home visits for HIV positive individuals, ensuring continuous care and support.
B. Ntaseka Clinic Maternity Ward
The maternity ward continues to provide essential baby delivery services and comprehensive care for pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn babies, improving maternal and child health outcomes in the community.
A New Life, A New Beginning
By Joyce – A grateful mother
"Today, my heart is full. I welcomed my beautiful baby into the world at the Friends Women's Association (FWA), and I cannot express how thankful I am."
"From the moment I arrived late on the last stage, the Nurse received me with kindness, patience, and professionalism. They stayed by my side, encouraged me, and made me feel safe. Their care was not just medical — it was emotional, human, and full of love."
"Holding my baby for the 3rd time reminded me how precious life is. I am going home healthy, my baby is healthy, and my spirit is filled with gratitude."
"To all the FWA team: thank you for the dignity, the compassion, and the strength you give to women every day. You are a blessing. May every woman be supported the way I was."
C. Improving Women's Reproductive Health (IWRH)
FWA staff and community health workers continued their vital work educating both men and women on the importance of family planning, reproductive health, and maternal care.
III. Rape Survivors' Support (RSS) Program
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) Progress
Program Overview:
The RSS program currently supports 63 established Self-Help Groups, providing economic empowerment and social support for survivors of gender-based violence.
December 2025 SHG Evaluation (12 Groups):
| Evaluation Category | Number of SHGs | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Total Money Saved | 12 | 20,690,000 BIF |
| Total Credit Granted | 12 | 26,700,000 BIF |
| Total Interest Generated | 12 | 10,450,000 BIF |
| People Who Didn't Pay | 12 | 3 individuals |
| Total Money Not Refunded | 12 | 570,000 BIF |
SHG Classification (After Evaluation):
Loan Success Story
"My name is Anitha, and I am a member of the savings group TUZAMUKE. In August, our group was recognized as one of the best performers and received a loan of 5,600,000 BIF from FWA, and I personally received 2,000,000 BIF."
"Before receiving the loan, I struggled to grow my small food business, where I sell rice, beans, potatoes, bananas... With this financial support, I was able to buy new materials and improve my business operations."
"Already, I see more customers and higher sales because having more goods attracts more customers. In just three months, I have seen a remarkable change."
"My business is growing, my confidence has increased; this progress gives me hope and motivates me to repay the loan on time."
Street Business School (SBS) Modules
During December, SBS participants completed three key business modules to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills:
Module 6: Financial Management and Planning
Participants learned budgeting, tracking income and expenses, understanding profits, and planning for savings and reinvestment.
Module 7: Customer Relations and Marketing
Focus on identifying target customers, understanding their needs, providing excellent customer service, and using practical marketing strategies.
Module 8: Growth and Business Strategy
Explored strategies for business growth, setting goals, analyzing market opportunities, managing risks, and taking practical steps to expand businesses.
Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) Workshop
Workshop Dates:
December 24-26, 2025
Participant's Healing Journey
"I grew up in a family that was separated because of ethnic conflict... Life was very difficult, and we lived in extreme poverty. Because I grew up without love, care, and protection, I felt rejected and hopeless."
"At the age of 14, I entered into a relationship to forget my pain, and I became pregnant. Being pregnant at such a young age was very traumatic... I became a mother while I was still a child myself."
"During the same period, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and died a few months later. Her death deeply affected me... I could not cry because the pain was too heavy."
"When I participated in the trauma healing training, I began to understand what had been happening inside me... This workshop helped me look inside myself, share my story, and begin my healing journey."
Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center (WSEEC)
Construction of the Women's Socio-Economic Empowerment Center continued throughout December, marking significant progress toward creating a dedicated space for women's economic development and skill-building initiatives.
Current Status:
Construction ongoing - Making steady progress toward completion
Action on Gender-Based Violence (AGBV)
Event Date:
December 10, 2025 - Supported by Faith to Action Network
Digital Gender-Based Violence Awareness Campaign:
FWA organized a peaceful walk and conference debate to raise awareness against digital gender-based violence, featuring keynote speaker M. Anicet from the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Gender.
Key Insights Shared:
- Digital GBV occurs through social media, radios, television, cell phones, and computers
- Includes exposing nudity, insults, scams, threats, and online stealing
- All forms are legally punishable with imprisonment and fines
- Participants realized they had been doing digital GBV without knowing it
IV. Medical Services - December 2025
Medical Team Services Overview
Consultations:
Laboratory Tests (Total: 448 tests):
| Test Type | Completed | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaria Test (G.E.) | 106 | 42 | 64 |
| Quick Malaria Test | 48 | 13 | 35 |
| Urine Test (ECBU) | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| Stool Test | 21 | 19 | 2 |
| Pregnancy Test | 39 | 10 | 29 |
| Typhoid Fever (Sero-widal) | 123 | 64 | 59 |
| Diabetes (Glycémie) | 21 | 12 | 9 |
| Syphilis (RPR VDRL) | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Complete Blood Count | 22 | 8 | 14 |
| Hepatitis B | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Hepatitis C | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Viral Load | 20 | 1 | 19 |
HIV/AIDS Services:
Under ARV treatment at Ntaseka Clinic
Received pre and post HIV test counselling
Pharmacy Services:
Medication Status:
FWA successfully purchased the minimum needed medicine to continue serving patients effectively.
Conclusion: December 2025 Achievements
December 2025 demonstrated FWA's continued commitment to comprehensive community development through multiple interconnected programs. From healthcare services reaching hundreds of patients to economic empowerment initiatives transforming lives, the month showcased the organization's holistic approach to sustainable development.
The successful virtual peace gathering highlighted FWA's regional engagement, while the digital GBV awareness campaign showed innovative approaches to contemporary challenges. The progress in self-help groups and ongoing construction of the Women's Empowerment Center point toward sustainable economic development for women in Burundi.
"As we conclude 2025, FWA remains dedicated to empowering women and girls, providing essential healthcare services, and building resilient communities through integrated development programs."
December 2025 Photo Gallery
View photos from December activities including the peace gathering, medical services, SHG meetings, and construction progress.
Access Photo Gallery