Having recently celebrated our 5-month anniversary here in Kigali (we arrived on November 18th), I felt the time was right to share some experiences.

I’ll start with one of the important aspects of my stay here, which is also the very reason for being in Rwanda : WORK AND LIFE EXPERIENCE !!

Often I’m asked what exactly I do over here. To keep matters simple I usually answer that I work at the Ministry of Health, for a project of the Belgian Technical Cooperation that is providing “institutional support” to the Ministry.

Usually that long answer satisfies most people. Sometimes, however, the more inquisitive repeat the question with more emphasis : “But what do you DO?”

The correct answer is rather complex, so I’ll have to ask you, the reader, to bear with me for a moment. The project “Appui Institutionnel au Minisanté Phase 3” consists of about 20 micro-projects, which are all going on at the same time.

Dr. Jean Marie Tromme is head of the project (Délégué à la Cogestion). At the same time he is my « coach » and I count myself very lucky to be able to work with him and learn from him!

The project is providing support both at the central and the district level. Rwanda is divided into 4 Provinces (very eloquently called: Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Province), which are split up further into Districts. The “Ville de Kigali” is the “fifth province”.

On the central level we are involved in :

· Strengthening of the Human Resources in the health care sector (brain drain is indeed a problem)

· National Health Accounts (to create a system of transparency in health care financing and internal accountability)

· Developing a system of Health Insurance on the central and district level

· A broad range of activities involving Health Promotion (from supporting health education at universities and educational institutes, to raising awareness in the districts by means of theatrical performances and movie screenings…).

· Rwanda Medical Council : drafting a compilation of Patients’ Rights

· National Nurses and Midwives Association in Rwanda: technical assistance to draft action plan and logical framework

· …

Too much to sum up in a couple of paragraphs, and probably too boring to read if I go into all the details. Pictures can say more than a thousand words… so I’ll include some visual aids to give you all an impression of what it’s like over here.

Most of these activities involve a number of organizations (international and national) and institutions. By working together and pooling resources/ expertise, the impact of the activities is enhanced, so there is a better chance of producing long-term results! (“sustainability” in development language – if there is such a thing…). Also, involving multiple stakeholders and actors reduces the risk of the same thing being done twice (or even three times) over.

An example of partner-organizations the CTB works with : GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), Lux-Dev, USAID, PSI (non-governmental organization), Kigali Health Institute, Centre de Communication pour la Santé (based in Kigali),…

With Dr. Tromme on field mission : Association de l'hygiène - Kirehe

The Minister of Health and my colleague 'Joyeuse' at a ceremony for the best District Hospital, Health Centre, Mutuelle de Santé...

Another member of our CTB/Minisanté team: introducing Jean-Baptiste

(as his desk is across from mine, I have this view - as on picture - most of the day...)