Shining the Light: Stony Run's Giving in Action
Ntaseka Clinic in Burundi
The Stony Run Giving Committee works year-round to support Stony Run's operations and connect our Quaker community with meaningful giving opportunities. Through financial support, we empower organizations addressing critical needs, including social justice, environmental sustainability, peacebuilding, education, LGBTQIA+ rights, disaster relief, and more. This monthly feature highlights how your contributions are making a real difference.
Since 2017, Stony Run Friends Meeting has provided the funds to pay the salary of $1,920.00/year ($160.00/month), for a half-time doctor at the Ntaseka Clinic in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Meeting’s budget (Support to Others: Outreach: Burundi Clinic: No. 5986) covers $1,000.00. The rest of the salary is provided by the generosity of individual donors, by Designated Donations given through the Meeting.
Designated Donations and Operating Budget Outreach Funds have also supported building a new maternity hospital and water tower, and have provided nutritional support for HIV positive beneficiaries and their families.
The Ntaseka Clinic in Bujumbura, Burundi is a program of the Friends Women’s Association (FWA). FWA was established in 2002 by Quaker women in Burundi who wished to address the unique need of women the conflict-affected and post-conflict environment following the civil war that lasted between 1993 and 2005. These women worked together with a shared goal of combating poverty, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, and post-genocide trauma in their communities.
Stony Run’s relationship with the Burundi Clinic, began in 2017, when Parfaite Ntahuba (coordinator of FWA), visited Stony Run. During Parfaite’s visit, our Meeting was led to support FWA by providing the funds for a half-time doctor at the Clinic.
Stony Run’s bond with FWA has strengthened over the years. Parfaite visited us again in 2019 and 2023. And we have been in touch by Zoom in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024.
In 2018, the students in Unified Efforts, another Stony Run supported organization, created clay pots, vases and tiles. At the students’ requests, their items were sold at Stony Run and the proceeds sent to FWA.
And in 2021, FWA’S Ntaseka Clinic was a community partner of Stony Run's annual Jazz Concert fundraiser.
The Ntaseka Clinic provides medical care and education for HIV+ beneficiaries. The description below describes a recent group discussion on the importance of the Undetectable Viral Load and beneficiaries respective appointments to obtain ARV supplies.
The Health mediator who led the group explained the two types of results for the viral load “Undetectable Viral Load and Detectable Viral Load.”
And then she reminded them that for the moment the current protocol is “Test and Treat”. Thus, a 3-month supply of ARV is required. Many of those who were present are coming late to get supplies. The facilitator encouraged them by telling them that with the correct taking of the medications, which are now combined in one and only one tablet per day, it is easy to have an Undetectable Viral Load. And if you have an Undetectable Viral Load, opportunistic diseases will not attack you. On the other hand, if you have a Detectable Viral Load, this can lead you to the AIDS Disease Stage and with this stage dying quickly becomes easy. This can be prevented by taking medications correctly and respecting supply appointments.
You can support the Ntaseka Clinic safely and securely through Stony Run Friends Meeting by clicking the button below and selecting: Give to Burundi Clinic Donation (4504).
You may also write a check made out to Stony Run Friends Meeting with "Ntaseka Clinic Burundi" in the memo line and deliver it to Stony Run's Office.
Learn more: Friends Women’s Association is an affiliate of Friends Peace Teams through the African Great Lakes Initiative.