My Impressions: A Trip to Kigutu

Although I heard about important presentations given the first day of the Annual Forum, I only arrived in time for the second day.The forum was held in the beautiful, spacious Community Center, newly built since my last visit in 2009.

I heard impressive speeches on Wash/Waste Management, the Kigutu Economy, and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence. Myself an artist, I enjoyed speaking with the community on the topic of Dignity and Expression in Art and presented a painting I had done of the people of Kigutu building their health center. It was particularly moving to see people come forward to take the mike during the community response time, whereas a year ago they would have been too uncomfortable to do so.In these moments, it was clear that Village Health Works has been—and continues to be—successful in helping people to find their voice and providing communities with the tools they need to advocate for themselves.

At the post-forum celebration outside on the lawn overlooking a misty sunset, I was utterly transported by the traditional art forms of the men and boys drumming and the girls singing and dancing.  When I asked what the girls were singing about I was told, “AIDS Prevention”.  Impressive.  Kudos to their Coach, Claudine, who—in her day job—works hard keeping the residence clean.

Other highlights included:

• Spending time with architect Louise Braverman as she presented her architectural plans for upcoming projects and traveling with Louise to a quarry in capital city Bujumbura to pick out rocks for the future Women’s Health Pavilion.  

• Watching the women’s sewing Co-op learn to make pajamas for babies in the malnutrition ward

• Helping artist Erich Metzger brighten up the malnutrition ward with an amazing mural featuring playful animals that will help to stimulate the children being treated in-patient

• Doing art projects with the afterschool program;

• Not to mention watching the birth of a calf! (The little guy is the newest addition to Village Health Works sustainable animal husbandry program)

When I think what was and wasn’t there on that hill in Kigutu 5 years ago, I’m struck by all that Village Health Works has achieved, in such a limited amount of time with such meager resources.  The project truly is an inspiration and one every member of our “global village” should be proud to be a part of.

- Frances Kidder