Lifelines for Child-Headed Households - Rwanda

The ravages of genocide and AIDS have claimed the lives of at least one parent of almost a third of Rwanda’s children.  Thousands of boys and girls throughout the country have been forced to take on adult responsibilities. Vulnerable, poor and often marginalised by their communities, they forgo school while struggling to take care of younger siblings.

Thanks to the generosity of the British public who gave to the 2005 Times Christmas Appeal, we donated 1,500 Lifeline radios to child-headed households in Rwanda.  These radios increased the children’s sense of self esteem as their radio gives them a new status in their villages. They benefit from news, information and practical life skills, gaining a sense of the wider world and increased awareness of HIV/AIDS and other diseases to which they are vulnerable.

Our two partners assisting with the distribution of the radios have long been committed to supporting orphans and other vulnerable children in the region. CARE’s innovative, award-winning Nkundabana (Godparent) initiative provides psychosocial and other support for orphans and vulnerable children, and the Association Francois-Xavier Bagnould has created the Village Model programme through which children are encouraged to help each other.