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Health & Nutrition
Good health and nutrition are essential to the holistic wellbeing of children, their families, and communities. AEE Rwanda works with households that include children, adolescents, and youth up to thirty-five years of age. Through family- and community-centered programs, we implement integrated initiatives that promote behavior change and improve health outcomes.
AEE Rwanda focuses its health and nutrition programs on pregnant women, lactating mothers, and infants, monitoring both maternal and infant health through regular check-ups and community-based nursing. Our community-level programs teach mothers about balanced diets and healthcare, provide a forum for parents to share knowledge, and, through initiatives like parent-led school feeding programs and kitchen gardens, ensure that families have the resources to provide nutritious meals.
Our health programs for youth and young adults focus on sexual and reproductive health, with HIV education and prevention targeted to vulnerable groups.
People with disabilities are often excluded from education and employment opportunities due to their disabilities. AEE Rwanda offers screening and referral to specialist services for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities. We collaborate with schools to promote inclusive education for all children and support youth with disabilities in acquiring employable skills.
Pregnant & Lactating Women
Every child deserves to be born and raised in good health. AEE Rwanda supports mothers and mothers-to-be through programs that provide access to antenatal and postnatal education and care. We also assist breastfeeding mothers with guidance, training, and connections to healthcare services when needed. A balanced, nutritious diet is essential for pregnant women and new mothers. AEE Rwanda’s nutrition programs equip women with the knowledge and resources to prepare healthy meals for themselves, their babies, and their families.
Infant Health
AEE Rwanda works with early childhood centers, health centers, and community health workers to screen infants for stunting, malnutrition, and developmental issues. Infants with serious conditions are referred to local health services; however, most issues—especially nutritional ones—are addressed through community health workers and volunteers, who work closely with parents to ensure a balanced diet.
Nutritional Education
Ensuring all children receive adequate nourishment is essential. AEE Rwanda integrates nutrition-focused initiatives across projects, including early childhood development centers (ECDs), savings and self-help groups, and improved agriculture programs. We provide practical training in nutrition through household, school, and community-based kitchen garden projects. Community health workers, attached to nutrition groups, teach mothers how to grow and source foods for an affordable, balanced diet. Parents also share tips at regular community kitchen events.
Sexual & Reproductive Health
Adolescents and youth should understand and exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and health. AEE Rwanda projects educate both female and male youth on sexual health and rights through mixed-gender and female-only safe-space groups. Mentors and linkage facilitators act as trusted advisors and can refer youth to health services when needed. Anti-gender-based violence (GBV) prevention is a key component of AEE Rwanda’s projects for all age groups.
HIV
AEE Rwanda works to reduce new HIV infections and empower people with HIV to live full lives. Our projects mobilize at-risk youth and communities to know their HIV status through regular testing. Community health workers and linkage facilitators assist HIV+ youth in accessing available services and collaborate with local health facilities to reduce stigmatization, creating an environment conducive to treatment adherence. At-risk young women are enrolled in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programs to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Young men are encouraged to consider voluntary medical male circumcision, a procedure shown to significantly lower their risk of infection.
Community Health Workers
Our community health workers are the mainstay of our projects. These are local people solving local problems. Drawn from the communities in which they work, community health workers are trained through AEE Rwanda projects to identify issues, collaborate with project participants on long-term solutions, and refer people to health services when necessary.
