Rwanda | Life for a Child with Diabetes

Rwanda is a small country to the east of the Congo in Central Africa, with a population of 8 million. In 1994 this poor but previously peaceful country was torn apart by strife between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes, resulting in the genocide of 800,000 people. Massacres and maimings occurred all over the country. Hundreds of thousands of children were orphaned, and whole communities were uprooted and became refugees. Stability is gradually returning, but the psychological and economic effects of the genocide period are profound.

There are 33 children and adolescents with diabetes known to be alive in Rwanda. The capital Kigali looks after most of these. We are working with the Association Rwandaise des Diabetiques to provide insulin for all these young patients. Insulin costs US$15-18 per 100U/mL vial in Rwanda.