On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, HACORWA conducted a comprehensive training session for its beneficiaries, starting at 8:00 AM. The session saw active participation from members of the following four self-help groups:
- ICYIZERE CYAWE MUBYEYI
- EJOHEZA MUBYEYI
- ITEZIMBERE MUBYEYI
- TUZAMURANE MUBYEYI
The training began with a warm welcome by HACORWA’s Director, Rev. Sereine, who addressed 50 attendees, including 48 women and 2 men. She appreciated their consistent participation in the monthly trainings and highlighted the importance of savings, as the year-end distribution was approaching. She praised the group with the highest savings of over 1,000,000 RWF, while encouraging those with less, such as the group saving 400,000 RWF, to keep progressing. Rev. Sereine announced that the savings distribution would take place on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Additionally, she discussed the progress toward acquiring legal recognition, with the group’s statutes already signed and awaiting submission to local authorities.
Following her address, Mrs. Verene Nyirabalinda, the facilitator, commenced the first session focusing on Preventing and Combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Key topics included:
- The definition of gender-based violence (GBV)
- Types of GBV
- Root causes of GBV in Rwanda, such as poverty, ignorance, alcohol abuse, and drug addiction
- Consequences of GBV, including physical disabilities, isolation, and low self-esteem
- Strategies to prevent GBV and support survivors
Preventing HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The facilitator elaborated on:
- How STIs are transmitted
- Common symptoms of STIs
- Prevention methods
IMPACT OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE GBV ON MENTAL HEALTH
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, another training session was held for HACORWA beneficiaries. Starting at 8:00 AM, it was attended by 26 participants, including 23 women and 3 men, from the same four self-help groups mentioned earlier. Rev. Sereine opened the session, emphasizing the life-changing nature of the training and encouraging participants to stay engaged.
Mrs. Sifa Dorcas, the day’s facilitator, led a session on Mental Health Awareness. The topics covered included:
- The definition of mental health as the ability to think, make decisions, and act without interference from mental illnesses
- Common causes of mental health issues, such as family history, hormonal imbalances, and socio-economic challenges
- Symptoms of mental health disorders, such as behavioral, verbal, and cognitive changes
- Warning signs, including emotional shifts, withdrawal, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, headaches, and substance abuse
- Examples of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, depression, trauma, and epilepsy
The facilitator encouraged attendees to seek professional health services for themselves or others experiencing such challenges.
The training ended with Rev. Sereine expressing gratitude to both the participants and facilitators, concluding with a prayer.
