AJESOV Association
(Association of Volunteer Youth Helping Orphans Affected)
Nyamata District, Rwanda
AJESOV is an association of children in the rural Nyamata/Bugesera District. A new road has been opened between Kigali and the village of Nyamata so that now instead of two hours on a rutted road, it takes only 20 to 30 minutes to get there from the capital.
The people of Nyamata suffer from drought, poor sanitation, unemployment, and left-over massive deaths during the genocide. The region has the highest HIV infection rate in the country. Sadly, 8.8% of the children in AJESOV are HIV+. The 260 children of AJESOV live with very poor families; only 20% are living with a remaining parent. The rest are double orphans with about 10% living in child-headed families.
AJESOV was founded just three years ago by nurses, teachers, and administrators, all young. The Executive Committee members were orphaned by genocide and AIDS and understand the children’s problems. They are known in Nyamata to care for all the children’s needs, and many more children come to them and ask to join.
CHABHA provides the Executive Committee of AJESOV with the funds for primary and secondary education, for health insurance cards, for home visits, for emergency food, especially for children receiving antiretroviral medications, and for emotional support.
Forty families who care for the children have received small loans to start businesses. The return rate exceeds that of other successful microfinance efforts, and as a result, increasing numbers of families benefit.
All families have received goats. Many young goats have been born, and this project has become a source of income that is self-sustaining. The goats and loans make a difference to these families.
The children have mosquito nets.
Life Skills Workshops teach the children learned about hygiene, HIV prevention, agricultural practices, and children’s rights.
The funding for this project has been assumed by a group of people who worship at the Benedictine Priory of Weston, Vermont. This group of about 20 people has raised funds with individual gifts, by collecting coins, and in a silent auction. As more children join AJESOV and school costs rise, the group is eager to find another church or civic group to join them in support of this very fine project. (Write to us below or email at info@chabha.org if you can help with this wonderful project.)
Having visited AJESOV as recently as last December, when they were having a workshop for the children and a leaders meeting, I can say that both the dedication of the children and the earnestness of the leaders is impressive and very worth supporting.