AHAPPY Club Members in Kigali Show Positive Transformation

On Friday 13 January 2023, Jesuit Urumuri Centre (JUC) had the pleasure of visiting the AHAPPY generation club members at Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique in the company of AJAN director Fr. Ismael Matambura, SJ. Initiated by the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), the AHAPPY generation program is meant to help curb teenage pregnancies, drug abuse and HIV infections among the youth that result in school dropouts. Also present during the club meeting was JUC assistant director Mr. Pierre Nyandwi SJ, the school’s headmistress Mrs. Odette Mujawamariya, club mentors Mr. Patrick Dusenge and Mr. Faustin Musonera and the students belonging to the AHAPPY club.

Following the welcoming remarks that were given by Mrs. Odette, members of the club presented their skit during which they demonstrated the dangers of early teenage pregnancies and peer pressure. Afterwards, another member performed a poem on how he had previously been a slave of drugs but after joining the AHAPPY club he had been freed and is now focusing on building his future.

Some of the AHAPPY Generation Club members at Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique present their skits

One of the students shared that she has gained the skill of making informed and responsible decisions in everyday life; “Before joining the AHAPPY club, I could not differentiate good from bad friendships. I sometimes look back on some of the activities I took part in and realize that my so-called friends were a bad influence. I have since cut them off”. Another student shared, “Since joining the club I find myself practicing more kindness and patience towards HIV-positive members of the society and those affected by it”.

Fr. Ismael delivered his remarks which he began by thanking the AHAPPY club members and mentors for what he has witnessed as a great impact of the AHAPPY generation program on the youth “I feel gratitude as I have myself observed change that is taking place among the young people in Rwandan schools, I have confirmed from the encounter I have had with students while I interact with them, the program is equipping them to really face the challenges of their lives. They are able to make good decisions that are helpful and life-giving”.

He encouraged the young people to foster dreams and to fight for them. He told them to avoid temptations and any outside influence that threatens their bright future. He concluded his remarks by asking them to show unselfish concern for the welfare of their peers; “Whatever you see that is helpful to you, don’t keep it to yourself. If you think that through belonging ‘in this club, I am getting more knowledge and more skills to help me grow’ tell others to join so that they may also benefit from this”.

AHAPPY Generation Club members at Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique

In November 2022, JUC launched the AHAPPY generation program activities for the academic year 2022-23. Following Friday’s visit by Fr. Ismael, the centre will begin making school visits to assess the impact of the program on its beneficiaries.

Story By,

Henriette Mushimiyimana

JUC Communication Officer