About Company
Who They Are
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Alight (formerly American Refugee Committee, founded in 1978) is an international humanitarian NGO headquartered in Minnesota, USA.
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In Rwanda, Alight has been active since 1994, launching operations post-genocide to support refugees.
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It operates in all six national refugee camps, making it the only agency with such widespread presence.
📅 Presence & Reach
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Has maintained a continuous presence for 30 years in Rwanda.
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Serves over 133,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Congo and Burundi.
🛠 Core Services
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Health & Nutrition
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Offers high‑quality healthcare to over 84,000 individuals annually.
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Provided anemia screening and treatment for 28,000+ mothers and children; nutrition services reached over 3,300.
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GBV Prevention & Protection
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Case management for 8,000+ women and child survivors of gender-based violence.
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Operates 5 safe spaces, supported by 40 staff and 400+ refugee volunteers.
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Livelihood & Resilience
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Initiatives include mushroom farming, beekeeping, soap-making, hair salons, and a coding school.
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Over 90% of participants stay engaged in these livelihood programs.
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Infrastructure & Services
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Built shelters, water, sanitation, health centers, clinics; constructed boreholes supplying 100,000 L/day.
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Provided medical equipment to host‑community hospitals (e.g., Kirehe District Hospital).
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Protection & Outreach
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Outreach campaigns in camps like Nyabiheke and Mahama focus on disease prevention, STIs, Marburg, HIV, mpox, and the link with SGBV.
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Empowerment Programs
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Coding school for refugee youth in Mahama Camp, supported by partners like MTN Rwanda.
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HPV vaccination drives launched in Kigeme Camp for cervical cancer prevention.
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🎯 Impact Highlights
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High engagement in health, protection, and livelihood programs — notably in anemia prevention, GBV support, and youth training.
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Partnerships include GIZ, BMZ, EU (e.g., funding for Mahama Camp & Kirehe District).
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Strong community approach with refugee volunteers co-creating and sustaining services.
🌟 Approach & Philosophy
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Shifts terminology from “beneficiaries” to “customers,” emphasizing dignity, agency, and co-creation.
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Operates on partnerships with local stakeholders, donors, and tech/corporate players (e.g., MTN, UNFPA).
📌 Why It Matters
Alight Rwanda stands out for its holistic, integrated model—combining healthcare, protection, infrastructure, and economic empowerment—to foster long-term resilience among displaced and host communities. Their focus on co-creation, dignity, and sustainability ensures programs are rooted in local needs and ownership.
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