Step Up! | StepUpRwandaWomen.org

American Association for Rwandan Women

We encourage you to join Step Up! to bring hope to the survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

Your donation will help us to build and maintain the Rwanda counseling center to assist women survivors of rape and other gender-based violence.

The center will be called Nsanga, which means “come to me” and it will be a place for hope and healing.

Saturday, May 2nd 2009
Step Up! American Assocaition of Rwanda Women Presents:

A Dance of Hope

Fundraiser
Tickets: $50
Rwandan Ballet
Dinner
Silent Auction
PeachTree Banquet Center
120 E. Nifong Blvd
Doors Open: 6pm Program Begins: 7pm.
Click Here to Download Event Flyer

History of Step Up! American Association for Rwandan Women

Step Up! was incorporated as a 501 C 3 organization in 2005 in response to the ongoing trauma experienced by Rwandan women as a result of the genocide in 1994. During the 1994 genocide Tutsi women were specifically targeted for torture and extermination. Many of those who survived were left with unwanted pregnancies, infected with HIV, and have subsequently become impoverished, psychologically traumatized and chronically ill. In the years since its incorporation Step Up! has partnered with a self-help group of Rwandan women in south Rwanda, in addressing their needs; as well as responding to the request of the Kigali Health Institute, the ministry of the Rwandan government which oversees the training of all health related professions in developing a certificate training program in mental health counseling.

Future plans are to build a counseling center in Rwanda to assist women survivors of rape and other forms of gender-based violence.

• April 2006 -- Needs assessment of the 60 women in Butare, Rwanda, who formed a self-help group called ABASA (meaning “We are all the same” or “share the same fate” in the local language, Kinyarwanda.) These women had all been raped during the 1994 genocide and many are now living with HIV/AIDS. The results of these interviews concluded that food, jobs, school supplies and mental health needs are primary. Specifically, many of the women suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety.
• May 2006 -- 10 hour course in Introduction to Trauma Psychology given to 34 nurses at University Hospital in Butare. This consists in recognizing symptoms of trauma, relaxation, use of imagery, listening skills and problem solving.
• 2006 -- Purchase by Step Up! of the first 50 school uniforms made by ABASA women on donated treadle sewing machines. Shop near market leased so that women trained in sewing can continue to sell uniforms.
• 2006 -- Bee keeping training and 31 functioning hives given to ABASA by Step Up
• May 2007 -- In cooperation with Solace Ministries and the Tinsley Charitable Trust, Step Up provided advanced training to a group of 11 genocide widows to become lay counselors in trauma.
• November 2007 -- Further training of lay counselors to include skills to assist individuals newly diagnosed with HIV. Additional group of 16 volunteers trained as lay counselors. Training session in Kibungo, eastern Rwanda, for 34 Anglican priests in beginning trauma psychology.
• July 2008 -- Step Up gives 12 cows to ABASA members who have stables. This project mirrors Rwanda’s rural economic development plan for each household to own a cow. Local officials have promised to assist in cow breeding and veterinary care free of charge.
• July 2008 -- In response to a request by the Kigali Health Institute (KHI), a Step Up team of experts provided a 10 day workshop in trauma counseling in Kigali, Rwanda as part of a postgraduate certificate in professional counseling.