Friends Women's Association
Description:
Friends Women Association (FWA) has a clinic in Kamenge, a poor section
of Bujumbura, for women with HIV/AIDS. Currently it has an active cliental
of 120 patients, most who are women. It also serves the usual health
needs of the community around the clinic so that it is not stigmatized
as only a place for HIV/AIDS positive individuals. In additional to
its ongoing services to its clients the program includes AIDS testing,
counseling, nutritional support, and patient gatherings.
Current programs:
In the last two years,
the Friends Women’s Association in Kamenge,
Bujumbura, has purchased a plot of land and built its own clinic. With
water and electricity now connected, the clinic is able to provide HIV
and malaria screening for people in the community. This will mean that
their HIV+ cliental will not have to travel to Bujumbura to receive services.
This summer the AGLI workcampers will build a waiting room, a room for
maternity and children, and a minor surgery room. When these are completed,
the clinic will be inspected and registered as a full-fledged clinic
by the Burundian Government.
The Kamenge Clinic is also piloting the HROC workshop for HIV+ women
and will participate in the on-going HIV+ workshops upcountry.