SPAC

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SPAC & Those Committed to Change

Walking with Angels, Inc. is proud to announce that The Medical Students’ Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR), Stop Prostitution on Campus (SPAC) and ABIYEMEJEGUHINDUKA (ABIGUHI): Those Committed to Change, publication was part of the 2010 Unite for Sight Global Health Conference, held at Yale University.
Butare final.pdf download The WWA-SPAC Poster Presentation, 2010 Unite For Sight Global Health Conference,

ABIGUHI and SPAC Founding Community Leaders & History:
Malachie Nsanzamahoro, is a medical student at the University of Rwanda, Butare campus, and President of Medical Students’ Association of Rwanda (MEDSAR) and Stop Prostitution on Campus (SPAC). He works in close collaboration with his former nemesis, a woman who is now the president of a cooperative named ABIYEMEJEGUHINDUKA (ABIGUHI): Those Committed to Change.

In 2006 a group of medical students decided that increasingly; criminal activity, public disorderly conduct and the rising prevalence of HIV infection were linked to the common root cause of prostitution on campus. Prostitution had become increasingly problematic in Butare and was giving the city a tertiary reputation of ill repute; a town normally known for its historical legacy and University campus. In response to the rising campus violence and HIV infection, the medical students association, MEDSAR formed Stop Prostitution Around Campus, or SPAC with the goal; To reduce prostitution and increase living standards of ex-prostitutes around the campus. Efforts to reduce prostitute patronage were also launched at potential “john’s” via pamphlet’s and radio commercials on the campus station. SPAC had identified the root of the problem as the availability of cheap, casual, infectious sex and focused their efforts by meeting with prostitutes and organizing those who desired a different life into a group.
To encourage prostitutes to seek alternative livelihoods, MEDSAR and SPAC reached out to the local community and their fellow student unions internationally in Scotland and Denmark for funding support. They were able to put together a series of trainings and meetings for the women, for which they received a small stipend to attend.

At the end of 2007 SPAC had enrolled 60 former, and former, mostly prostitutes in regular trainings. The women were intent on forming a cooperative and regularly attended weekly meetings for encouragement, education and guidance on;
• Health – including sexually transmitted disease (STD), HIV/AIDS, nutrition & family planning.
• Income Generation – which initially consisted of traditional basket weaving skills.
A local pastor and his community raised funds to procure 60 national health insurance premiums to cover the women for two years. Many used the opportunity to enroll themselves, or used the insurance to enroll their child in clinical programs treating HIV/AIDS related disease. The women have 138 children between them and an extremely high rate of HIV prevalence.
In November, 2008 the women decided amongst themselves to pledge that they would not get pregnant, thereby limiting the spread of HIV and their ability to feed and care for the children they currently have.

Recipient Program Highlights:
WWA was introduced to SPAC / MEDSAR in October 2008 by Specioza Brown at the conclusion of their second level of traditional basketry income generation training. WWA initially assisted in an advisory capacity on income generation by challenging team leaders to:
• Explore ideas that enhance market linkages for baskets
• Consider additional skills trainings and income generation program interventions to assist the women in finding viable and sustainable livelihoods.
• Solidify and formalize cooperative governance.
• Monitor, evaluate and keep detailed written records of transactions, goals, progress and activities.
WWA had an opportunity to get the know the women through a series of interviews as the women celebrated a 3 year anniversary of their commitment toward a better life in unity with each other, in December 2008. We found that many of the women were genocide survivors and a vast majority were HIV+.
(To read individual women’s stories click the link : Women's Stories.pdf )
At this time, WWA expanded its role and advocated for land with the government, to cultivate for income and sustenance. WWA’s voice assisted in procuring two (1.5 and 1 hectare ) plots of arable land and technical assistance to grow fruit trees and vegetables. The land was awarded on the commitment that WWA would assist with inputs, technical guidance and hand tools. Currently, the land is being farmed with tools, inputs and seeds supplied by a WWA grant. The parcels of land have been planted with passion fruit, tree tomatoes, Japanese plums, maize, carrots, cabbage, and maracuja which are now being harvested for both consumption by the women and their families and sale.
As a result of increased visibility and respect in the community, local sector administrators offered the women and additional opportunity to make bricks. Approximately 20 women from the cooperative now employed part-time making bricks.
To date, 70% + of the women enrolled have abandoned prostitution according to the women, local people and authorities. 90% of the women are have been tested for and are being treated for HIV. SPAC is arranging for the remainder to be tested. Living standards are slowly improving through diversified income opportunities. The women completed their filing and are an official cooperative with the Government of Rwanda. WWA has provided ongoing health insurance for all of the women and all of their children through 2011.

Objectives:
WWA seeks to support the needs of the ABIGUHI community achieve their goals, through the leaders we support. We will assist SPAC and MEDSAR as they continue to work with the women toward their goal of a sustainable lifestyle.

Partnership to date:
Enterprise and development program funding for cultivation, technical training, medical insurance and technical assistance to MEDSAR and SPAC.

Outcomes to date:
The incredible accomplishment of keeping the women together in a cohesive group cannot be overstated. Illness and malnutrition prevents many from finding day labor and gainful temporary employment. In a collective, they have an opportunity to share tasks, success and spread risk and failure. To date, they have sold over 100 baskets through sales arranged by the students. The women have cleared, sewn and harvested their first vegetable crops are cultivating passion fruit, tree tomato and their second vegetable crops on their plots, which are growing, despite dry weather. Many women are being seen and treated for HIV by the students who are arranging for the remainder to be tested with their newly instated insurance. They are no longer seen as a “scourge” in the community but are beginning to be treated with some respect, and even in some cases, community assistance.

Future Plans:
WWA intends to continue our relationship with ABIGUHI, SPAC and MEDSAR and is committed to enabling viable income generation efforts, particularly those related to agriculture and endeavors related to growth sectors mirroring Rwanda’s GDP. WWA will consider requests and endeavor to share resources regarding women and children’s health, particularly as they relate to HIV/AIDS.