FOCUS
Creating Economic Opportunities
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease

MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development

OVERVIEW
Almost one million people died during Rwanda’s genocide and civil war in the 1990’s. Today, the country faces another painful challenge as HIV/AIDS devastates families and communities. Currently, there are an estimated 613,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Rwanda due to HIV/AIDS. These numbers are expected to double over the next several years.

Traditionally, orphaned children are absorbed into extended families, but as more adults succumb, children are forced to live on their own. The average age of these children is six years old, which means that as many as one million children in Rwanda will need care and support for another decade at least.

Our PARTNERS
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with Church World Service and the YWCA of Rwanda to meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through the Giving Hope program. Giving Hope reinforces the capacity of churches and related organizations to build child-centered programs and networks for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is working to protect the rights of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) and provide for their basic needs, while increasing local attention on the growing number of child-headed households.

When a parent becomes sick with HIV/AIDS, the children are more likely to go hungry, become malnourished, and withdraw from school in order to care for the parent or siblings. After the parent dies, the children often lose their home and inheritance. Many have to work at very early ages so they can support their siblings, exposing themselves to potential abuse and exploitation. The discrimination and stigma these children face puts them on a path toward poverty, making them even more vulnerable to behaviors that lead to HIV infection.

Creating Economic Opportunities
Episcopal Relief and Development is providing children affected by HIV/AIDS—primarily child-headed households— with opportunities to income through increased food production. Educating the community about the needs and rights of OVCs protects children from exploitation, which leads to poverty.

• Opportunities to farm together in common plots and sell their produce empower child-headed households to feed themselves and earn income.
• Community education programs address HIV/AIDS and stigma, child rights, and inheritance laws, and create a supportive environment where OVCs are secure and accepted.

Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is teaching young people, including OVCs, to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and help prevent the spread of the disease in communities.

• HIV/AIDS prevention strategies give youth knowledge and skills to avoid the high-risk behaviors that lead to infection.