Rwanda

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Handicap International began its work in Rwanda in 1994 in response to the genocide when an estimated 800,000 lost their lives in ethnic group unrest.

Following the genocide, the Rwandan Government has focused its efforts on reconstruction and development in which Handicap International has played a significant role.

During this period there has been a slow but relatively renewed commitment to the country’s disabled people. This is evident through the volume of legislation and policies forwarded by the current government of National Unity.

The Federation of Associations and Centres for Disabled people in Rwanda (FACHR) has encouraged people with disabilities to come together since 2002. The organisation has recently grown with the financial support from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Based Development.

Examples of policy developments in Rwanda:

• Article 76 (4) of the 2003 National Constitution of Rwanda includes the right of representation for people with disabilities in the National Assembly.
• ‘Special Education’ is a strategic priority for the Rwandan Ministry of Education, with ‘Inclusive Education’ being their stated ideal education model.
• In early 2007 a law was passed relating to equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, with Articles 11-13 provide for equal rights in education.
• The National Policy on Orphans and other Vulnerable Children of 2003 recognises the rights of all “youth in difficult circumstances”, including those with disabilities.
  Link to the Official website of the Republic of Rwanda http://www.gov.rw/

Handicap International in Rwanda focuses its work in the following areas:

• Promotion of the rights of disabled people through support to local organisations 
• Rehabilitation for physically disabled people
• Support for people with mental health issues
• Inclusion in education for disabled children and young people
• Access to education for children and young people with epilepsy
• Campaigning against HIV/AIDS, social and economic inclusion of people with HIV/AIDS
• Participation in national and international networks in the fields of mental health, HIV/AIDS prevention, inclusive education and epilepsy

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Key facts
Population*: 8.1 million
Language(s)*: Kinyarwanda, French and English (all official languages)
GDP Per Capita*: $230
Infant Mortality**: 203 per 1000 of the population
Life Expectancy***: 44 years
Incidence of aids among 15-49 age brackets: 3.5%

Sources
* UN Statistics division 2006
** WHO Report on The Health of the World
*** UNPD United Nations Programme for Development

• 84% of the Rwandan population lives on less than $2 per day*
• Rwanda is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• 390,000 Rwandan children are currently out of school (1)
• 29 percent of Rwandan children are orphans and/or vulnerable (3)
• 12.2% of government spending goes towards education*
• 75% of girls and 72% of boys are in primary school*
• 613,000 orphans now live in Rwanda (2)
• 26 percent of school age children are out of school (4)
• The Rwandan constitution of 2003 (Art. 40) as well as the law of January 2007, relating to the equal opportunities of people with disabilities, provide for equal rights in education

(1) EFA Global Monitoring Report 2007
(2) Republic of Rwanda, 2002
(3) Rwanda: Standard DHS, 2005
(4) UNESCO 2005

Activities
The Rehabilitation project carries out national and local capacity building activities to ensure comprehensive care for disabled people. Particular emphasis is given to the training and support of assistant physiotherapists and orthopaedic technicians.

The psycho-social project supports structures providing for the care and inclusion of children with psychological or mental health issues.. Handicap International is a recognised actor in the field of mental health in Rwanda and its activities are in line with the objectives of the Rwandan Ministry of Health: training programmes for Rwandan professionals in mental health and psychological support for unaccompanied children. Since the beginning of 2006 a new approach entitled “community-based mental health” has been implemented, hoping to encourage local stakeholders such as secondary school teachers to help give the necessary support to those children affected by the genocide.

In 2005 Handicap International launched its project to Fight Against HIV/AIDS. The retrovirus is a large problem in Rwanda, with 3.5% of all 18-49 year-olds carrying HIV/AIDS. The project aims to educate children and young people about HIV/AIDS disease and help them protect themselves. One of the project’s other main objectives is to help visually-impaired people access the messages of prevention usually only presented in printed format. Other elements include supporting people with HIV/AIDS find a job to ensure that they can provide for themselves and their families.

The Inclusive Education project aims to increase the number of disabled children accessing quality and relevant education. Currently education for disabled children in Rwanda is mainly offered in segregated environments such as special schools and centres. The project aims to build the capacity of local partner organisations working with disabled children to provide advice, support and information to the community on inclusion in education. Home school links are also strengthened by regular home visits in which parents, families and siblings receive information and advice about disability and education issues. Read more about Inclusive Education in Rwanda.

© Handicap International

The Fight Against Epilepsy is the most recent area in which Handicap International is working in Rwanda. 450,000 people are affected by epilepsy in Rwanda and 120,000 of these are children and young people who are unable to access education. Starting in January 2008, Handicap International has implemented a four-year project for children and young people with epilepsy aiming to improve their access to healthcare, education and family life. The Rwandan League for the Fight Against Epilepsy has been set up in order to increase the active participation of key stakeholders in this process.


People we work alongside

• Disabled adults, children and young people and other vulnerable populations
• Children and young people with trauma. Work takes place in children’s centres and local associations, as well as in primary schools.                                                                                                                    
• People affected by HIV/AIDS and epilepsy, with a particular focus on disabled people.

Read the story of 10-year old Aline who was orphaned by the genocide.

Our Partner organisations

• Disabled People’s Organisations: AGHR (Rwandan General Association for People with Disabilities), ANSR (Rwandan National Association for the Hearing and Speech-Impaired), URA (Rwandan Union for the Visually Impaired), Rwandan Federation for People with Disabilities.
• Organisations promoting inclusion in education for disabled children and children affected by trauma: Foundation Tumurere, Gisimba orphanage, Gikondo, Jya Mubandi Mwana Centres for Disabled Children, 16 Welcome centres for children with no families.

Governmental partners
Local and national level education and health authorities, Ministries, provincial and administrative district offices

Handicap International Rwanda Team
The Rwanda team consists of a programme director, an administrator, four project managers, two psychologists, a mental health nurse, two development advisers and three psycho-social advisors.

Contacts
E-mail: administration@hi.org.rw