![SHARE Facilitator Hellen Nomugisha]()
SHARE Facilitator Hellen Nomugisha
Meet Hellen Nomugisha, one of the new facilitators who have been working with Health Development Initiative (HDI) for the past four months on our SHARE program. HDI's sexual health and reproduction education (SHARE) program works in conjunction with student-driven Anti-AIDS clubs in high schools in Kigali, Rwanda to fill the existing gaps in the schools' sexual health curricula. With your support, we were able to incorporate SHARE facilitators into the program this year. The SHARE facilitators visit each of the schools twice per month and fill a vital role in the project. They provide constant support to the Anti-AIDS clubs, guiding the clubs in discussions and debates on a variety of sexual and reproductive health topics. They also provide consistent feedback between HDI and the clubs, which enables us to more effectively respond to their needs.
Hellen is a recent graduate from Fawe Girls' School, one of the schools participating in the SHARE program, where she was a member of the Anti-AIDS club for 6 years and president of the club for 3 years. As a former club member/president and now SHARE facilitator, Hellen has a very unique perspective on the program. We asked her a few questions so that we could share her experience and insight with you.
Q: Why did you join the Anti-AIDS club when you were in high school?
A: I joined the Anti-AIDS club in school because I was interested in participating in extracurricular activities that would positively impact the community. I also had a love for health-related issues, so the Anti-AIDS club seemed like the perfect fit. I was also curious. Fighting AIDS in the community involves more than knowledge about the disease: you need to have information about sex, sexuality, puberty, gender rights, etc., and as a teenager I was very interested in those topics.
Q: What did you gain from your experience with the Anti-AIDS club?
A: I not only gained a lot of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, but I also gained confidence and leadership skills. I now have the confidence to stand up in public and give a presentation or speech. I also developed leadership skills through my experience as club president as well as the confidence to lead my peers.
Q: Why did you want to be a SHARE facilitator?
A: I wanted to be a SHARE facilitator because I saw what we were able to accomplish with the Anti-AIDS club in high school and I believe in the program. I also want to be a role model for others who are still in high school to show them ways to continue this work and be a leader in the community after graduation.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a SHARE facilitator?
A: My favorite part of being a SHARE facilitator is the chance to work with young people. They are some of the most rewarding people to work with because they are willing to learn, open-minded, and courageous. I really enjoy participating in their discussions and hearing their ideas.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I hope to study in the US and then return to Rwanda to build an orphanage. I hope to serve the needy in my community as a counselor and role model to show everyone, especially children, that they can be successful.
Q: What would you say to the donors who are supporting this project?
A: Thank you! We are so grateful for your support. This program is stronger than ever and we could not do it without our donors.
As Hellen said, thank you for your support. This work is challenging, yet rewarding and we couldn't do it alone. Keep up to date on HDI activities through our website at www.hdirwanda.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
![Hellen giving a presentation during training]()
Hellen giving a presentation during training
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