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.
Strength in Adversity: A Journey from Maramvya
By a survivor from Maramvya
"I was legally married to my husband here in Maramvya. We lived as a normal couple and had four children. After some time, I started hearing rumors that my husband had another wife in the village."
"Whenever I tried to discuss about the issue, he became angry and refused to talk. To avoid conflicts, I stopped asking questions. Last year, he left without any explanation of where he is or how he's living. This situation left me alone with our children."
"The pain of being left without closure has been difficult to carry. Recently, my children became seriously ill with high fever, and I had no money to take them to a health center. FWA provided the critical support we needed when we had nowhere else to turn."
"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
Conclusion: January 2026 Achievements
January 2026 has been a month of significant impact for the Friends Women's Association. By serving 430 patients and conducting over 800 laboratory tests, we have once again proven that integrated healthcare is the cornerstone of community resilience.
The stories of strength, like the one from Maramvya, remind us that our work goes beyond numbers. It is about dignity, safety, and the hope for a better future. As we move further into 2026, FWA remains dedicated to expanding our reach and deepening our impact for every woman and child in our care.
"Our mission continues: providing critical healthcare and empowerment to those who need it most, ensuring no one is left behind in their time of need."
January 2026 Photo Gallery
View photos from January activities including medical consultations, maternal health services, and community support sessions.
Photo Gallery Coming SoonReport Tags:
FWA Reporting Team
The Friends Women Association (FWA) Reporting Team is dedicated to documenting the impact of our programs and sharing the stories of the women and communities we serve across Burundi. Our reports provide transparency and celebrate the milestones of our collective empowerment journey.
Related Reports
December 2025 Monthly Report
December 31, 2025
February 2025 Executive Summary
March 28, 2025
December 2024 Monthly Report
January 20, 2025
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