Building self-worth. Growing local leadership.
Beyond Stigma's work in Rwanda builds on a simple belief: when young people strengthen their sense of self-worth, they become better equipped to support themselves, their peers and their communities.
Working alongside local organisations, young people and healthcare partners, we are adapting and strengthening evidence-informed approaches that place internal stigma at the centre of HIV care.
The Challenge
Looking beyond treatment.
Rwanda has made remarkable progress in HIV prevention, treatment and care.
Yet for many young people living with HIV, internal stigma continues to affect confidence, emotional wellbeing and long-term health.
Feelings of shame, self-judgement and fear of disclosure can remain even when access to treatment is available.
Beyond Stigma works alongside communities to address this often-overlooked barrier by strengthening self-worth, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Wakakosha in Rwanda
Adapting an evidence-informed model.
In partnership with Dreams Village, Zvandiri and local peer leaders, Beyond Stigma introduced the Wakakosha model in Rwanda through a six-day residential pilot programme.
Rather than replicating an existing programme, the approach was adapted through collaboration with local partners to reflect Rwanda's culture, community strengths and lived experiences.
The programme combines:
Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR)
Creativity and storytelling
Music and movement
Reflection and emotional literacy
Peer support
Experiential learning
Together, these approaches help participants question self-limiting beliefs, strengthen resilience and build lasting self-worth.
Building the next Generation of Leaders
Peer leadership at the heart of change.
The Rwanda programme focused on supporting Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS)—young people who already play an important role in supporting others living with HIV.
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By strengthening their own confidence, emotional wellbeing and leadership skills, participants become better equipped to create safe spaces for others within their communities.
Beyond Stigma's goal is not simply to deliver programmes, but to help communities build the local capacity needed for sustainable, long-term change.
A Space for Reflection
Learning from one another.
Throughout the programme, participants explored the beliefs that contribute to internal stigma in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
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Using inquiry, creativity and peer discussion, they developed practical tools to:
Challenge self-judgement
Build emotional resilience
Strengthen self-worth
Improve confidence
Support healthy disclosure
Deepen peer connections
These experiences form the foundation for stronger individuals and stronger communities.
Creativity Connects Communities
Beyond language. Beyond borders.
Creativity plays an important role in Beyond Stigma's work in Rwanda.
Music, storytelling and shared experiences create opportunities for connection that extend beyond language and culture, helping participants express emotions, build confidence and develop a stronger sense of belonging.
In Rwanda, the musical young people created a song based on what they experienced during Wakakosha called ‘Uyu Ninjyewe/This is Me’
Here are some of the lyrics:
UBUZIMA BWANJYE BURIHARIYE NDABIZI
My life is Unique and I know it
NTA NUMWE UMEZE NKANJYE NINJYEWE
There is no one like me, it’s me.
HASHOBORA KUBA HARI UFITE IZINA NKI RYANJYE
There might be someone with a name like Mine
NTA NUMWE UMEZE NKANJYE, NINJYEWE
But there is no one like Me, it’s Me
These creative approaches continue to strengthen community leadership while supporting positive mental wellbeing.
Rwanda–Ireland Exchange
Learning together across continents.
In 2025, young participants from Dreams Village travelled to Ireland to take part in the Grá Mór concert and cultural exchange.
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The visit brought together young people from Rwanda and Ireland through music, creativity and shared experiences, celebrating dignity, hope and human connection.
The exchange demonstrated how creativity can build bridges between communities while reinforcing Beyond Stigma's belief that healing and belonging grow through connection.
OUR PARTNERS
Creating change together.
Beyond Stigma works alongside trusted partners in Rwanda, including:
Dreams Village
Zvandiri
Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS)
Local healthcare professionals
Peer facilitators
International research and programme partners
Together, these partnerships ensure programmes remain community-led, culturally relevant and evidence-informed.
LOOKING AHEAD
Strengthening communities for the future.
Beyond Stigma's work in Rwanda continues to grow through local leadership, collaboration and shared learning.
Future priorities include expanding peer leadership, strengthening mentorship, developing local facilitators and deepening research to better understand how addressing internal stigma can improve long-term wellbeing.
By working alongside communities rather than simply delivering programmes, Rwanda is helping shape the future of Beyond Stigma's work across Africa and beyond.
Help Create Lasting Change
Together, we can help more people move from self-stigma to self-worth.
Choose how you'd like to support our work.