Rwanda
Key achievements in 2024 – in partnership with the Survivors Fund (SURF):
- 300 survivors joined 12 peer counselling groups. These groups each met 22 times throughout the year and were led by 24 peer support counsellors, offering emotional and practical guidance.
- A peer counselling group for 23 older genocide survivors was piloted. They also launched a group savings scheme, fostering economic empowerment and community building.
- Over 1,900 individuals, including students and community members, received mental health education. This was timed to offer support during the commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi – a time of great trauma for survivors.
- During the 30th annual commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi, 35 participants experienced serious trauma, and were all supported to recover through counselling.
- The percentage of survivors feeling limited by trauma decreased from 72% to 8%, demonstrating the impact of counselling and community.
- Peer counselling group members actively contributed to their communities by completing 50 charitable projects, including home repairs and agricultural support.
- 110 survivors received one-to-one counselling, while 322 home visits were made to provide follow-up support.
- 424 survivors participated in business training, gaining the skills and confidence to develop business plans. Among them, 51 survivors successfully launched their own businesses, while 44 secured employment.
Sierra Leone
Key achievements in 2024 – in partnership with Conforti-Port Loko:
- 181 clients continued to receive epilepsy medication, increasing to 271 by the end of the year. 80% of these clients were able to contribute towards the costs of their medication by the end of the year.
- 899 new clients accessed counselling, with depression (21%) and trauma/PTSD (19%) being their most common diagnoses.
- 161 women and 126 men regularly attended women’s and men’s groups respectively, where they engaged in conversations on issues like domestic violence and gender roles. These groups provide space for individuals to challenge harmful norms and build healthier relationships.
- Through the community education programs, 432 people gained insights into mental health and epilepsy, of whom 79% showed improved understanding, contributing to greater awareness and less stigma within the community.
- 1,430 women and 782 male partners attending maternal mental health sessions. Male participation increased significantly this year, as men learned how to better support their partners.
- 6,912 students and 621 teachers participated in school mental health assemblies, with a strong focus on adolescent mental health. Teachers were trained to better understand and support the mental well-being of their students.
- 238 people with mental illnesses/epilepsy and caregivers in nine self-help groups have now grown their savings by 543%, helping build their financial independence and long-term security.
- In November, 129 members from 6 additional self-help groups received livelihoods support, further boosting their economic resilience.
- All the self-help groups who have livelihoods are now able to meet their basic needs, and as a result, their children’s school attendance has doubled.
- Self-help group members advocated for positive change in their communities, successfully securing mosquito nets, anti-bullying measures in schools, and improvements to local roads.
Uganda
Key achievements in 2024 – in partnership with BNUU:
- 75 mental health clinics were held, treating 1,103 clients, including 254 new clients.
- 303 new clients received individual counselling, while 476 group counselling sessions were conducted, with 97% of participants showing improvement.
- 669 people were visited at home by BNUU and village health teams, ensuring they received the support they needed.
- 2,242 students were reached through school mental health clubs, creating safe spaces for young people to discuss and learn about mental health. 1,072 young people participated in group counselling sessions focused on addressing violence and trauma.
- In honour of World Mental Health Day, BNUU hosted a community event that brought together 1,685 participants. This event helped raise awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a greater understanding of mental health issues in the community.
- 93% of self-help group members with livelihoods reported significant improvements in meeting their basic needs, with a 60% increase in income. These groups are empowering members to reduce poverty and increase access to necessities like food and medication.
- 346 self-help group members now have vegetable gardens, providing a steady source of food and alleviating hunger.
- 75 individuals accessed essential medication via drug banks during shortages at local health centres, ensuring that those with mental health needs didn’t have to go without vital treatment.
Burundi
Key achievements in 2024 – in partnership with a small local volunteer organisation:
- A group of 20 community members across different professions participated in an intensive trauma counselling programme, delivered by Network for Africa’s counsellor, Shelly Evans Ph.D.
- These community leaders will be able to serve as lay trauma-informed counsellors, helping others in their communities.
- We will return to Burundi, working with the same group, adding to their skills and equipping them with further trauma counselling. We will also be training a new cohort of 20 community members in trauma counselling.