Program
- Our Groups
Knowledge that creates opportunities for change
Since spring 2021, recurring workshops have been held for young women in Rwanda, focusing on health, entrepreneurship and personal development.
Participants gain knowledge about, among other things, nutrition, how the body works, dental health, hygiene, the environment, high blood pressure and diabetes. The workshops also address smoking, alcohol and how to treat children with respect and without violence.
Entrepreneurship includes topics such as savings, money and basic personal finance – knowledge that can strengthen women’s ability to plan and influence their future.
From participant to ambassador
Women who wish to and show interest can continue on to become Baho Neza ambassadors. They then pass this knowledge on to other women and children in their villages.
In this way, a chain of knowledge grows, where what is shared can reach more people and live on in the local community.
Knowledge that is shared becomes knowledge that lives on.
- The Ambassadors
Our ambassadors – knowledge that is passed on
The ambassadors come from different villages in Rwanda and have themselves taken part in Baho Neza’s training programs. They then pass this knowledge on through their own groups for young women, children and youth in their local communities.
For young women, the groups focus on topics such as health, finances and saving, but also on the challenges of everyday life. For children and youth, play, movement, acrobatics and circus are at the center, with a focus on joy, community, and developing strength, balance, coordination and self-confidence.
The ambassadors also receive ongoing training in areas such as health, economics, administration, computers, project planning, budgeting and pedagogy. In this way, they develop their own skills and gain greater opportunities to pass them on.
The ambassadors are an important link between Baho Neza and the local communities – knowledge is passed from woman to woman and from generation to generation.
- Knowledge Exchange Program
Knowledge Exchange Program – knowledge between women
In the Knowledge Exchange Program, older women – the Mamas – meet once a week to learn from each other and share knowledge and experience.
This can involve practical skills such as sewing, weaving bags from plastic strips, making soap and other things that can be useful both in everyday life and as an opportunity to generate their own income.
Every woman has knowledge and experience to contribute. By learning from one another, both community, independence and the opportunity to create one’s own livelihood are strengthened.
The Knowledge Exchange Program is based on a simple idea: everyone can be both a teacher and a student.
- Children and circus – joy, movement and knowledge
In several villages in Rwanda, the ambassadors run regular children’s groups a few times a week. Here, children have the opportunity to play, be active, develop their skills and have fun together.
The children practice acrobatics and various circus disciplines, dance and comedy. Through the training they develop, among other things, balance, coordination, strength, courage and trust.
The groups are also about health and everyday knowledge. Topics include dental care, hygiene and why it is important not to litter and to take care of the local environment.
There should be room for everyone’s voice, and the children are encouraged to ask questions and say what they think. Conversations therefore become a natural part of the groups, where the children have the opportunity to express themselves, listen to each other and learn together.
Joy, movement and knowledge – for children’s health, community and future.
- Evening Training with Mamas – strength, movement and joy
A few times a week, Mamas meet for evening training together with Faradji, an artist in Rwandan Acrobats.
The training includes cardio, strength, coordination, balance and flexibility and is adapted to the participants’ different abilities. The exercises help the women keep their bodies active and develop both strength and mobility.
And the training does not have to be quiet and calm – rock music, energy and laughter are a natural part of every session.
Movement, music and community – for stronger bodies and happier people.
- Workshops for the ambassadors – knowledge and development
The ambassadors meet a few times a month together with Mudi to follow up on the activities, report from their groups, and share what they need in order to continue developing.
There are also recurring workshops together with Ann from Sweden, where the ambassadors have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge based on their own needs and wishes.
This may involve computer skills, organization, and project planning, but also deepening their understanding of the body, health, and how the body’s different functions work.
The content is adapted to what the ambassadors themselves feel they need to learn more about. In this way, they can strengthen their own knowledge and become even better at passing this knowledge on to the women and children in their groups.