The Big Picture: IDJWI
Amani Global Works was founded on the principle “CARE, CURE, MAKE WHOLE” for sustainable growth. By investing in health, through building and strengthening of health structures, AGW hopes to stimulate other areas such as a nursery, primary, secondary and vocational schools, commerce, livelihood stock and social activities for the youth. AGW intends to be a bridge for a new Idjwi society.
About IDJWI
Idjwi Island, located in Lake Kivu between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, is the second biggest island in Africa and the 10th inland island in the world. With approximately 340 Km square, it is more than four times the size of Manhattan (New York City) and more than five times the size of Washington, D.C.
POPULATION = 250,000+
BIRTHRATE = 10,000 / year
INFANT MORTALITY RATE = 1:7
IDENTITY:
The Ban’Idjwi (people of Idjwi) speak Kihavu
Congolese- of or related to the DRC
Special relationship w/ Rwanda through marriages
EDUCATION: Education in Idjwi is remote and completely at the mercy of the poor families that still have to struggle to feed an average 10 children per family. Since there are no subsidies from the government, parents must pay teachers salaries in order for their children to be admitted into the classroom. As a result, the majority of children don’t go to school and those who do, will most likely miss half of the school year due to families’ inability to pay school fees and teachers’ salaries. Due to the traditional customs, uniforms are mandatory for all students. Students must travel via boat to the mainland cities of Goma and Bukavu for their school supplies. There is danger and risk in these trips to the mainland, and many lives are lost on a yearly basis due to drowning. The few children who do get a good education leave, as there are few opportunities for them on Idjwi.
AGW is developing a program so that families can purchase uniforms on the island. Learn more about the Uniform Initiative launched by The Dalton School that is helping to bring uniforms and tailoring skills to the people of Idjwi. READ MORE >>
TRANSPORTATION: Idjwi is a mountainous island, making it difficult for people to move easily from one point to another, and even more difficult for patients who have to travel from far way to seek care. Most people on Idjwi travel by foot, motor taxi, or boat. There are few roads that are passable by vehicle, and there are only a dozen or so vehicles on the island.
In emergency situations, it has been almost impossible for a patient to reach the health care structure in time, resulting in many deaths. Most women prefer to give birth unattended at home rather than attempt to walk to the clinic. Young children that are part of the AGW Nutrition Program, walk between 4-6 miles each way every day in order to get their supplements. Most of these community members do not own shoes. Many older children carry their younger siblings on their backs. Read the story on Clay Baxter and the construction of Idjwi’s first water ambulance >>
