De Novo Executive Director visits Burundi and Rwanda with Boston University School of Social Work

Executive Director Mojdeh Rohani traveled to Burundi and Rwanda in November 2022 with colleagues from the Boston University School of Social Work Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health. They visited the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, rural hospitals, a psychiatric facility, and grassroots organizations with a focus on forming partnerships that would further enhance capacity in education and training in mental health, research, evaluation, and infrastructure.

Mojdeh remarked, "I am in awe of the dedication, commitment, creativity and most notably humility of colleagues we met during the trip. They have overcome insurmountable challenges under the most difficult circumstances and often with extremely limited resources, all in the spirit of true service to the community."

Visit to a psychiatric hospital in Bujumbura, Burundi with Gilbert Ndayishimiye (L), who is the only psychiatric nurse in Burundi, and Dr. Jean Baptiste Mbonyingingo (R), the Village Health Works Medical Director in Kigutu, Burundi.

One notable aspect of the trip was a visit to the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Butaro, Rwanda. As a branch of Partners In Health, the UGHE was founded with the mission to improve the quality and delivery of health care for underserved populations. The center was co-founded by Dr. Paul Farmer, whose death in 2022 was a profound loss for those involved in health-equity work.

During her visit to the center, Mojdeh noted a quote from Dr. Farmer on the wall: “…all of your most important achievements on this planet will come from working with others—or, in a word, partnership.”

A mental health home visit with a Rwandan Genocide survivor and his family by a community health worker, who is highly-trusted by community members, leaders, and elders.

This quote, and the trip as a whole, served as an important reminder of the interconnectedness of De Novo’s service model: our work is made possible through dedicated volunteers, partner organizations and funders, and the global network of those seeking to provide comprehensive care for marginalized populations.