The DiDé Foundation, in particular the Kigali team, thanks you for your support and solidarity.

The DiDé Foundation is pleased to send you this new publication of the "DiDé Flash Info". Your regular support allows the Foundation to continue its commitment and actions in favor of the dignity of the most vulnerable detainees as well as respect for human rights, which is why we thank you warmly.

DiDé’s activities in Rwanda, presented in our latest edition of the "Flash Info" have continued but unfortunately have suffered a slowdown compared to their usual pace. This is due to the fact that in several Rwandan prisons cases of measles have been declared. This situation has also impacted prisons in which the DiDé team is present.

Fortunately, the epidemic has not reached an alarmingly large scale, in particular thanks to a series of different measures taken by the Ministry of Health to deal with this problem and limit its consequences.

People who contracted the virus and had symptoms of the disease were quickly isolated and treated. In addition, massive vaccination campaigns were carried out in all impacted prisons targeting detainees as well as prison staff. In addition, all of the people concerned were made aware of the disease, its symptoms and the preventive measures to be adopted. Finally, as a precaution, visits were suspended in order to avoid spreading the disease outside the prisons. To date, the disease is being eradicated.

However, it must be noted that this situation was due to the need to suspend various activities implemented by the Foundation, in particular those involving direct contact between DiDé employees and prisoners.

Ngoma Women’s Prison

Activities planned as part of the psychosocial reintegration project for women detained in Ngoma Prison and children have also been affected by the measles epidemic. However, despite these difficulties, the Foundation was able to guarantee the follow-up of a certain number of interventions, such as the finalization of the construction works of the psychological consultation room. This is how this room will quickly become operational.

Project in collaboration with RBJ

Activities carried out in collaboration with the organization Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ) within the framework of the project funded by the European Union and the British High Commission have also continued.

Although the measles epidemic affected the prisons of Rwamagana, Nyarugenge and Ngoma, individual monitoring in mental health could be guaranteed in particular within the framework of the Rehabilitation Center of Nyagatare not affected by the epidemic.

Consequently, the 254 people identified in December 2018 and January in the five prisons concerned who needed individualized care all benefited from suitable support.

The majority of them have started an individual therapeutic journey with the psychologists who are collaborating on the project.

Another part, made up of minors detained in the Nyagatare Rehabilitation Center, is followed by trained supervisors.

A minority, requiring psychiatric assistance, have been referred to the competent hospitals

In Bugesera Prison, drug and alcohol prevention groups continue to meet regularly. The participants focused their discussions on the factors that encourage this consumption. Under the supervision of psychologists, they worked in particular on the emotions that can favor these consumption in order to develop strategies for managing them.

Furthermore, in this same prison, training was given to “peer educators” on techniques for facilitating group discussions. It will be repeated over the next few months in the other establishments affected by the project.

In Nyagatare, 25 support groups met during the month of January. Participants discussed their future outside of prison, schooling and the consequences it could have, as well as the HIV virus and AIDS.