The DiDé Foundation thanks you for your generous and regular support; this is fundamental for the continuation of DiDé’s actions in favor of defense, dignity and the improvement of the living conditions of people in detention. Here is the second 2018 edition of the "DiDé Flash Info" retracing the recent activities developed by the Foundation.
Ngoma Women’s Prison
The activities planned within the framework of the psychosocial reintegration and vocational training project for women detained in Ngoma prison continued according to the plan initially established. The summer and early fall were characterized by the start of construction work. This work, in partnership with the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) - through the provision of labor - aims to create spaces intended to host the craft training and literacy classes.
In addition to this work, the DiDé psychologist, in collaboration with the prison psychologist, is working on the development of a support system for detained mothers. Both focus particularly on strengthening the skills and knowledge of the “educating pairs”.
The “educating pairs” are prisoners who have been selected in order to be able to support the work of psychologists, in particular with regard to setting up group activities. They also allow the identification of women and children requiring more individualized monitoring. The “educating pairs” follow a series of training courses focused on the importance of mental well-being, on the “mother / child” relationship, as well as on the identification of symptoms related to psychological disorders in infants. age. The aim of these training courses is to provide “educating pairs” with the basic tools to support prisoners and their children.
Activities related to the monitoring of children who have reached the age limit of 3 and who have to leave the prison continue regularly. Thanks to the collaboration between the DiDé Foundation, prison staff and local authorities, 17 children aged three years were integrated into foster families between June and October.
For children living in prison with their detained mothers, DiDé and its partners are looking for future host families. Once these have been identified, work begins with them to raise awareness and prepare for childcare.
So that the separation between the mother and her child does not happen suddenly, it is also essential that the child can create a bond with the foster family before he has to leave the prison. This is how children are monitored and prepared by psychologists for this separation. The participation of children in the activities developed in the crèche therefore offer excellent alternatives in terms of socialization.
Project in partnership with IBJ and RBJ
The DiDé Foundation in Rwanda is also engaged in a second project started in January 2018 in collaboration with International Bridges to Justice (IBJ) and Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ). The objective is to protect human rights within the criminal justice system in Rwanda. To do this, the project envisages a multidisciplinary approach, by setting up a partnership between two organizations competent in the legal field - IBJ and RBJ - and an organization experienced in the field of mental health - DiDé. The Foundation’s interventions within this project affect the training and awareness of the various actors of the Rwandan judicial system, as well as the psychosocial support of detained persons, in particular those who have been victims of abuse or violations of rights. humans.
The achievements to date are very encouraging. To date, all of the 450 detainees who have been identified as needing specific follow-up have received psychological support. This shows the relevance of DiDé’s expertise and the effectiveness of its action.
Finally, DiDé carried out awareness-raising activities in the prisons of Rwamagana and Ngoma relating to the concept of "presumption of innocence", both through theatrical performances and through the distribution of brochures. The aim being to make the staff of the RCS, the detained persons as well as members of the community in which the prison is registered aware of the injustices that can occur if the principle of presumption of innocence is not respected .
These activities also received wide coverage in the local media.
Activity Report
The 2017 Annual Report which summarizes DiDé’s activities in Rwanda and presents the financial results can be viewed here .
The DiDé Foundation takes this opportunity to thank you, loyal private and / or institutional donors thanks to which DiDé is able to pursue its mission of defending the dignity of the most vulnerable detained persons.
The members of the Foundation Board, the staff in Geneva and in Kigali wish you Happy Holidays at the end of the year and an excellent and positive new year to come.
In 2019, together and with you, we will continue these actions to protect the rights of detained persons. Please make this possible.