Network For Africa

NETWORK FOR AFRICA UK (N4A UK): N4A UK ADMINISTERS SEVERAL PROJECTS IN AFRICA, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF REBUILDING COMMUNITIES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL LEADERS, AFTER WAR AND GENOCIDE, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:RWANDA: N4A WORKS WITH SURVIVORS FUND (SURF) TO PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, IN PARTICULAR THE 1994 GENOCIDE IN RWANDA. AFTER THE GENOCIDE IN 1994, THOUSANDS OF ORPHANS MISSED SCHOOL, OFTEN LIVING ON THE STREET, CARING FOR GROUPS OF YOUNGER ORPHANS (CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS). ADDRESSING TRAUMA, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IS CRUCIAL IF A COMMUNITY IS TO REBUILD. ALTHOUGH THE GENOCIDE WAS 25 YEARS AGO, THE RWANDAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH ESTIMATES 35% OF SURVIVORS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. SURF BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE UNEMPLOYED SCHOOL DROPOUTS; YOUNG WOMEN WITH UNPLANNED BABIES - A PARTICULARLY LONELY, ISOLATED AND VULNERABLE GROUP WHO DESPAIR OF LIFE; RAPE SURVIVORS; SOME WITH CRIPPLING SOCIAL ANXIETY; AND SOME WITH HIV. THE SURF PROJECT INCLUDES A HOLISTIC PACKAGE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING TO HELP SURVIVORS ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD.UGANDA AND SIERRA LEONE: N4A WORKS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION BY WORKING WITH AND DEVELOPING EXISTING HEALTH STRUCTURES. THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF EXTENSIVE TRAINING NOT ONLY FOR PROJECT STAFF, BUT ALSO FOR VILLAGE HEALTH TEAMS, LOCAL COUNSELORS, HEALTH CENTER STAFF, AND KEY COMMUNITY LEADERS SUCH AS TEACHERS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS, EQUIPPING THEM TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE, RAISE AWARENESS AND ENSURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. A KEY PART OF THE TRAINING IS COMMUNITY EDUCATION SESSIONS, DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS AND SHARE POSITIVE MESSAGES ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS, THEREBY REDUCING STIGMA ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SEEK TREATMENT. THE PROGRAM FOLLOWS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S MENTAL HEALTH GAP ACTION PLAN (MHGAP) FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION IN POOR COUNTRIES. IN ADDITION, BENEFICIARIES FORM SELF-HELP GROUPS IN ORDER TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER MENTAL HEALTH PROVISION, RAISE THE PROFILE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND WORK TOGETHER TO START INCOME GENERATING LIVELIHOODS.