Stop Prostitution Around campus (SPAC), an association of Rwandan medical students helped out women living in Tumba sector of district Huye abandon prostitution. SPAC grouped these former prostitutes in a cooperative named Abiyemejeguhinduka literally translated in English as “Those committed to change”. Abiyemejeguhinduka cooperative brings together 610 former prostitutes.

Malachie Nsanzamahoro, the coordinator of SPAC says that they decided to help women from Tumba sector who were prostitutes after noticing that NUR students were the most clients to the same women in this risky business.

“As students of NUR, we also came out with the idea of helping those women to change their behavior as one way to the implementation of our university motto (excellence in education and service to the people). We believed that this group of women was very much exposed to HIV/AIDS transmission”, Nsanzamahoro added.

SPAC mainly helps women who accept to abandon prostitution by initiating them into small income generating activities such as basket weaving, growing fruits and vegetables.

A former prostitute engaged in basket weaving owing to sensitization by SPAC

Residents of Tumba sector hail this group of NUR students for having helped in stopping insecurity caused by all irresponsible activities involved in prostitution.

By Jean Baptiste Micomyiza