TRAINING ON THE DOOR TO DOOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIV/AIDS IN RWANDA

The representatives of IMCS in different higher intuitions in Rwanda met at UBUCUTI center in Rubengera, west of Rwanda from 10^th – 15^th Jan 2007 to discuss about HIV/AIDS, a scourge that is not only ravaging Rwanda but also the whole Africa and entire World. The group members who are pioneers of IMCS-Rwanda were present.

The IMCS i.e (UNR) Universite National de Rwanda, (KIE) Kigali institute of education and (ISAE) Institute Superiuer d Agronomie et d Elevage but also representatives of catholic community from other universities and higher institutes in Rwanda, (INES) Institute National d’Enseignment des Science, (Kist) Kigali Institute of Science and Technology and (KHI) Kigali Health Institute, which have the same catholic community, (UNK)universite Catholique de Kabgaiya, (ULK) Universtie Libre de Kigali were present.

Fr. Musada, the chaplain of IMCS-Rwanda started by introducing the Mayor of the District of Karongi who officially opened the training. He congratulated the young catholic students for taking break on their academic activities to address the issue of HIV/AIDS which spares no one.

During the training session on the Door to Door strategy, the students benefited from those with experience and were familiarized with the issue on HIV/AIDS on;

·                                 Factors contributing  HIV/AIDS in the society

·                                 The youths responsibilities in the fight against HIV/AIDS

·                                 The role of N.G.O Government, UNN and churches in the fight against HIV/AIDS

·                                 THE PARTNERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

·                                 The responsibilities of IMCS PAX ROMANA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS 

Before the different conferences begun, the students were able to visit the association of people living with HIV/AIDS, where they came face to face with the realities the infected and affected go through. Despite their state of health, they are not discouraged; they conduct their activities as normal people with hope to live longer.

Amongst those who live with HIV/AIDS were Mazirane Alexis and his wife Ubwababyeyi olive, which caught the attention of the students. The students were convinced that anyone can get HIV/AIDS no matter how tall or beautiful they are. Hence the necessity for all human beings to be screened, in order to know their status was pointed out. This helps in taking measures in our lives. Towards the end of the session, the students made recommendations;

 To the students: To be cautious on the HIV/AIDS pandemic

                            Organize visits to the people living with HIV/AIDS

c)                               Organize visits to the people living with HIV/AIDS

d)                               Encourage people to go for voluntary counseling and screening

To the government and the NGO and the church leaders; 

a)                                  Facilitate the students in realizing their task to carry out their projects in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

b)                                  Encourage Rwandese to go for voluntary screening and make ARV’s easily available after voluntary screening.

In conclusion, the IMCS-Rwanda benefited by welcoming four new member groups namely: (INES) (KIST_KNI) (UCK) and (ULK). It was an occasion for IMCS Rwanda to choose by election the new national coordination team. The results of the election are as follows:

                    The Coordinator: Hormisdas Ndagilimana

                    The Secretary: Sylvia Umulisa

                    The treasurer: Diendonne Munyaneza

Congratulations to the new team. 

 Maurice Nizeyimana, Pan African Coordinator