FEATURED: Why new AHF youth initiative in HIV prevention, health education is crucial

In a bid to curb the rising rate of HIV among young people, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda has a new initiative to provide adolescents with reproductive health education and youth-friendly services through “Youth Corners” at health centers across the country. The initiative has already seen the establishment and equipping of Youth Corners at five health facilities: Mukarange, Kinyinya, Rango, Muhoza, and Rwamagana health centers. According to Ndungutse Bikolimana, the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Officer at AHF Rwanda, the Youth Corners are designed to empower young people aged 10 to 24 with essential knowledge and life skills. “These spaces build capacity in peer education, communication, advocacy, HIV prevention, and community mobilization,” he explained. “It’s a safe place where young people can access accurate health information and engage in peer-led discussions.” The effort is part of AHF’s broader Young People’s Program (YPP), which targets youth aged 10 –24 years. The program aims to reduce new HIV infections and related mortality in this age group. Tackling alarming HIV statistics According to 2023 statistics, Rwanda recorded 3,131 new HIV infections and 2,620 AIDS-related deaths. Women and girls are disproportionately affected—67.4 per cent of new infections among adults aged 15–49 were female, with adolescent girls three times more likely to contract HIV than their male counterparts. To contribute to solving this issue, AHF Rwanda is not only equipping Youth Corners with educational materials and health services but also integrating recreational activities to attract and engage youth. At the Kinyinya Health Center, for instance, students from nearby GS Kinyinya School are now connected to the Youth Corner where they can access Wi-Fi, games, videos, and even sports facilities like basketball and volleyball courts. During a visit to the school on June 4th, 2025, Bikolimana urged students to use the holiday period wisely: “Be yourself. Do something meaningful for yourself. The games in the Youth Corner are there not just for play but to help sharpen your mind,” he told them. A safe space for information, support Claire Joie Ingabire, a nurse at Kinyinya Health Center, emphasized the importance of the Youth Corner in addressing the information gap. “Young people often go through changes without knowing who to ask. This corner is here to offer accurate, respectful, and judgment-free information on reproductive health,” she said. Ingabire pointed out that with the support of AHF Rwanda, the youth corner at Kinyinya has been furnished with essential supplies, including educational materials, entertainment equipment, sanitary pads and condoms. Services offered include reproductive health education, HIV testing, and male circumcision, completely free of charge. Kevine Uyisanga, a Senior Four student at GS Kinyinya, expressed appreciation for the facility. “This room is a safe space where we can learn and access accurate information, especially on reproductive health. It keeps us busy and safe from peer pressure,” she said. She also noted the convenience of having free Wi-Fi and other leisure options available, which helps girls avoid risky behaviors such as relying on men for airtime. With the Youth Corners located near schools, even students from farther communities can access the services regularly. She added. AHF Rwanda’s initiative marks a critical step in combining health education with accessible, youth-friendly services, creating safe, empowering spaces that not only inform but also protect the next generation.

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FEATURED: Why new AHF youth initiative in HIV prevention, health education is crucial