Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

What a spectacular country!! It is truly beautiful here with cool temperatures and sunshine.

We began the day with a briefing at the UNICEF office and had the pleasure of meeting a handful of the 60 staff who work at this country office. Being the only UNICEF office in the country, they have a lot of territory to cover. With a goal of reaching the middle income level by the year 2020, this staff is both steadfast and inspiring. As we travel around the country, it is clear to see that this hope is embraced by the rest of the population as people are hard at work - in the fields, in health and education, as well as tourism and commerce, to name a few. And the success rates demonstrate the results of their hard work - malaria has been reduced considerably due to increased use of bednets in addition to a new drug that treats the illness. In addition, a reduction in HIV/AIDS cases has shown incredible improvement based on the buy-in from the government leading to increased outreach and education.

One of the most interesting projects to me was the Children's Summit. This project is aimed to encourage children to speak out about their views of the current state of the country, as they see their daily lives, and share their hopes for the future with their classmates. Initiated in 2004, children in each district, age 10-16, were selected to discuss questions that related to post-genocide issues. The children were narrowed to a smaller group and their conversations were taken to the national level, with an added group of the most vulnerable children of the country. In total, a group of 250 youth spoke at the summit that was televised country-wide to let the country know how kids felt and what they needed for their future. Now an annual event, this summit empowers the teens with leadership skills and ownership of making a change for themselves.

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

We then went to FIDESCO, a local non-governmental organization north of Kigali which is aimed at taking kids off the streets. With the goal of integrating the kids back into their families and communities of origin, this "drop in center" protects the kids from violence and abuse. They are also provided with food, shelter, health services and vocational training. We went to another site where the kids were practicing the skills they learned from a mechanics class. Successful stories from the program include one young man who is now a mentor to the boys and another who has his own business as a mechanic and supports his siblings.

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

Kabuga Youth Center was next. Reinitiated by the Rwandan First Lady Office, the center provides a space for young people to learn about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health in a confidential environment as well as to engage them in support programs and recreational activities. Clubs at the center, such as singing, dancing, and soccer, provide both recreation as well as support for the kids. The group we met was the second of girls, ages 16-20. When asked what they liked most about the center, one replied "I believe the most important thing is to learn how to sustain ourselves." Another replied, "I like being social." With positive attitudes like these, complemented by a tremendous success rate in outreach - 400 teens are getting tested for HIV per month, demonstrating a reduction in cases from 7.6% down to 3.4% - the youth of Rwanda have many hopes and dreams they plan to fulfill. And they aren't giving up anytime soon.

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

© U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Rusanganwa

Until next time. Bon soir!