CARAES at Ndera is the only referral hospital for mental health care in Rwanda. Some health care occurs in any number of the thirty districts outside of Kigali, but CARAES is where long-term, admitted care takes place. The hospital sits on top of one of Kigali's many verdant hills - driving there is quite lovely.
Today was the day my new colleagues and I visited CARAES Hospital in Ndera and asked them what they need. Jean Pierre ("Kevin"), CLAVER and myself first were greeted by the director of CARAES, Frère Charles NKUBILI. We explained our goal - to bring sustainable and continuous art and "ergo" therapy to patients of Ndera.
After we showed him our ideas and expressed our passion, Director Nkubili led our group to the occupational therapy workshop, where we met Innocent SIBOMANA, psychiatric nurse. We learned about the "ergotherapie" that is practiced at Ndera - it is quite diverse - sports, dancing, crafts, art, and gardening. The problem is that resources are limited and these therapies cannot occur as much as they are needed - more activity coordinators are needed!
We also talked about CARAES' system for determining patient improvement. I was very interested in how we could provide art therapies that directly bolster healthy, strong, personal growth. I will be asking for advice from many people.
With APROMAMER our first task is to introduce, trial, and refine new art therapies for patients requiring mental health care. After that is shown to be effective, the next step is to find people who are passionate about continuing these programs - to bring art therapy closer to full long-term sustainability here in Rwanda.
There is drive to create even more beyond these goals, but first things first. On Monday, I return to CARAES to teach two sessions with the first groups of patients... those who are looking for something simple, expressive and fun to make - "Expressive Figures" is the first project. I am eager to share the artist's work here soon!
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