Presentation

AIDS has been destroying people’s dreams in Burundi for years. AIDS-patients are being discriminated daily.

The infection with AIDS has major social consequences: it tears families apart, increases the amount of orphans and makes families poorer.

In Burundi, AIDS is viewed as a shame for the community. HIV-positives hide or ignore their disease, fearing they will be rejected by the people around them.

Today, Nouvelle Espérance assists 3 600 persons, of whom 1 200 are ill.

Our main activities are :

• Assist with the medical costs : consultations, distribution of medications, hospitalizations for one day, treatments at home, observation and support of the patients in the hospital.

• They are in charge of the psychosocial: psychological consult, help with the alimentation, assist financially (hospitalization expenses, school money for the children, et cetera), activities (fabrication of postcards, clothes, micro-credits, et cetera).

• The constant formation of beneficiaries and employees.

Because the number of AIDS-patients still increases and the distance for the people who live in the suburbs is sometimes very far for them, two sub-offices have been opened. One is located in Buterere and another one in Kanyosha, where doctors and nurses meet their patients every week according to a calendar that is known by everyone for the consultations and care.

Nouvelle Espérance elaborates projects in function of the present demands. Because the number of beneficiaries constantly increases (3 to 4 new cases every day) and the capacity doesn’t increase proportionally, it is inevitable to make a strategic plan for the effectiveness in the future. There is also the idea to make an action plan three-yearly (2005-2007).