The Friends Women Association (FWA) is an organization led by and for women. It was started in 2002 by women who wanted to work together to help each other improve their lives, and in particular to address the problem of HIV/AIDS and violence against women in their community.
FWA operates a health clinic in Kamenge for women with HIV/AIDS. Currently it has an active clientel of 120 patients, most of whom are women. It also serves the health needs of the community around the clinic so that it is not stigmatized as only a place for HIV/AIDS positive individuals. In additional to its ongoing services to its clients, the clinic conducts AIDS testing, counseling, nutritional support, and patient gatherings.
In the last two years, FWA purchased a plot of land and to have a permanent location for its clinic. With water and electricity now connected, the clinic is able to provide HIV and malaria screening for people in the community. Within the coming year we will finish the construction of a waiting room, a room for maternity and children, and a minor surgery room. When these are completed, the clinic will be inspected and registered as a full-fledged clinic by the Burundian Government. To see the other activities that FWA conducts, please see the attached organizational chart.
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