Enhancing Health and Wellness for Vulnerable Youth in Rural Rwanda

In 2007, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) was founded in Rwamagana, Rwanda, to offer a safe haven for youth orphaned during the Rwandan genocide. As the village grew and began supporting around 500 young people each year, the need to enhance its health and wellness program became evident.

At the outset, the clinic at ASYV was staffed by one full-time nurse, one part-time nurse, and four psychosocial workers. However, there was a lack of standardized protocols for first aid and preventative care. Recognizing this gap, Global Nursing Fellows Kathryn Barrandon and Michele Morin collaborated with the Health and Wellness team to develop and implement comprehensive protocols that would guide daily activities. This included integrating mental health and first aid training for the village staff.

Their efforts led to significant improvements - the MCRGHP collaborated to expand the annual physical health assessments to encompass not just general health, but also nutrition and mental health screenings for every student. To better manage common pediatric ailments, we also created an algorithm for evaluating and treating fevers, which laid the groundwork for additional protocols. All staff received first aid training, and local course trainers were equipped with advanced education and training materials. Lastly, we provided and distributed first aid kits throughout the village. After this initial phase of the intervention, Kathryn and Michele remained engaged with staff for ongoing collaboration.

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