We are fighting the global HIV/AIDS pandemic by building a movement of young leaders dedicated to health equity and social justice, and by providing socio-economic support to HIV-affected individuals living in impoverished communities.
Building a Movement of Young Leaders:
Every day, youth in the United States, Rwanda, and around the world start and join FACE AIDS chapters. These young people are key actors in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and FACE AIDS helps them to develop into effective leaders who will make a difference now and throughout their lives.
The prevalence of AIDS exposes underlying social injustices in society, and thus by fighting AIDS, we are also fighting social injustice in the world.
- Chloe, U.S. Chapter Leader
In over 210 college and high school FACE AIDS chapters across the United States, students organize and educate their peers and communities, advocate to policymakers for substantive action, fundraise for comprehensive health care provision, and more. 100% of the total funds raised by these student chapters is granted to Partners In Health, an internationally acclaimed NGO providing health care to some of the world's most marginalized populations. PIH uses the funds to provide comprehensive health care in Rwanda, where FACE AIDS works with HIV-affected communities. Since our founding in 2005, FACE AIDS has raised more than $2 million to provide health care to the HIV-affected poor in Rwanda.
In Rwanda, FACE AIDS has established over 30 chapters involving more than 1,000 highly vulnerable, HIV-affected youth. We work on two fronts to support these youth. First, we provide opportunities for leadership development and meaningful engagement in addressing health, poverty, and development challenges by awarding small grants to selected chapters to design and implement youth-led community health interventions. Second, to address the poverty, joblessness, and social isolation faced by many of our chapter members, we help the youth in our chapters to start revolving savings and credit funds. This model empowers Rwandan youth to see themselves as leaders in the health and development of their communities, and gives them the economic and professional support they need to make safe and healthy choices in their own lives.
Learning about FACE AIDS, it was impossible NOT to want to be a part of it. It has given students a platform to be creative and be a part of something bigger then themselves. As teenagers we often believe that the world should cater to our needs and think that our voices and actions only have an impact upon adulthood. What excites me about FACE AIDS is that it was created by students who show that age is not a factor when you are dedicated and passionate.
- Katie, U.S. Chapter Leader
I am very happy to have been elected president of the FACE AIDS Chapter at Kirehe. I want to work to help my peers overcome their many different problems and support each other morally, financially, and in other ways. I want to show people affected by HIV and all Rwandans that there is hope. Even if they feel lonely or stigmatized by their families, there are still people who care and can advise them.
- Desire, Rwanda Chapter Leader
Providing Socio-Economic Empowerment:
FACE AIDS leads income-generating projects for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in rural eastern Rwanda, an area devastated by conflict, poverty, and disease. Partnering with cooperatives, we employ members to make beaded AIDS awareness pins and help them to save a portion of their income. We then provide business skills and financial management training, and support our partners to develop rotating savings and credit cooperatives, enabling members to start or strengthen small businesses and begin to move out of poverty. The beaded AIDS pins are then distributed by FACE AIDS' student chapters in fundraising and awareness campaigns. Each pin comes with the biography and photograph of the individual who made it, spreading a message of solidarity and social justice, and inspiring people to take action against global health inequity.
Meet the Associations (click the photos below):
Learn more about FACE AIDS' partner associations in Rwanda. Who are they, what issues do they face, and what have they done with their income and savings?
