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In June 2009, the EFA regional office officially launched our newest network-wide initiative, the Youth Network Coordination Committee. The committee was established to help member associations of the EFA network function more cohesively, work together across community lines and improve communication between EFA and the associations in the Youth Network.

Each association elects two representatives to the Coordination Committee - one from the executive office and one from the general assembly of members- to represent their group during the quarterly meeting. The committee provides a forum for the association representatives to present their accomplishments and challenges to other network groups. Representatives are encouraged to solve problems together, learn from each others’ successes and challenges, and identify areas of collaboration among associations.

The Coordination Committee also provides a routine democratic and transparent venue for associations to interact directly with EFA regional staff, better implicating EFA’s beneficiaries in organizational decision making.

When originally established, ROC was housed on the grounds of a bakery in the Rebero neighborhood of Kigali. The bakery was intended to fund the operations of the center, so the operations of the two organizations were closely intertwined. However, as ROC’s programs expanded, it became clear that the center needed its own building.

In May 2009, ROC officially left the bakery premises and moved in to a new center in Rebero. The new center provides an enclosed compound and safe space for the children with better toilet facilities and a more permanent classroom. Project staff also has a more professional office space to conduct business with partners in the hours when the children aren’t at the center.

This spring, one of EFA’s youth groups, AJEPS, lost a vibrant and valuable member of its contingency, Magloire.

“Magloire arrived in a red and white plaid shirt, his gaze timid but thoughtful. His smile came easily, but his face showed honest determination. Since learning of his HIV-positive status, Magloire told me that he had found solace in being part of AJEPS’ support group. He scooped sand from the ground, gently passing grains through his hand to the compound floor. He said that while he excelled at art and sculpture, his true ambition was to become a politician, “maybe even the President of Cameroon.”

Read the full story.

These photos demonstrate the physical change that comes about when young people start to live positively with their disease.  Read more about AJEPS member, Yaya.