Electives in Rwanda
The Charities Advisory Trust have collaborated with the charity Surf to offer medical electives in Rwanda.
For more than nine years Survivors Fund (Surf) has helped survivors of the Rwandan genocide deal with and recover from the tragedies of 1994, supporting a wide range of services for victims in Rwanda, and assisting survivors in the UK.
Medical students now have the chance to complete their medical elective in Rwanda gaining hands on experience in two of Surf's projects.
1: AVEGA Project
SURF has been assisting AVEGA since 1997 dealing with the direct and indirect effects of HIV including the trauma and stress surrounding rape and infection, medical needs and financial impact on families and children.
Started in 1995 by 50 widows of the Rwandan genocide, AVEGA (Association des Veuves du Genocide d’Avril 1994) takes a bold step towards recovery. Realizing that no one was left after the genocide to care for them or their children, the founding women formally organized a charitable organization to provide a means of support and recovery.
The project conducts awareness campaign concerning issues of sexually transmitted diseases and /HIV/AIDS. Many members know the facts about HIV transmission and there is a general increase in understanding in the population because of numerous information based prevention approaches. The project encourages women to behave responsibly, to plan for the future of their children and especially to talk to their own children.
2: Solace Ministries
Solace Ministries is an officially registered Christian based charity, which supports traumatised widows and orphans of genocide, especially people living with HIV/AIDS. It helps to restore hope and overcome feelings of despair, loneliness, hatred, anger and resentment among its members.
Its programmes include: counselling; child care and development programmes; community development programmes; health and relief; capacity building and research.
SURF began supporting Solace Ministries in 2002, specifically to support women and children affected with HIV/AIDS.