Biography
Françoise KARIBWENDE is the Founder & Clinical Director of Wihogora Psychosocial Centre. With more than two decades of work experience in mental health, psychology and education, she is a specialized clinical psychologist passionate about the mental health wellbeing of children and adolescent.
With a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Rwanda (2021), Karibwende Francoise has over the past 6 years specialized in child psychology using child-appropriate therapies including Narrative Therapy, Alternative Care of Children, Psychodrame des Enfants, Cognitive Behaviour Theraphy, Systematic Approach and other Foster and Family Care Approaches. Her Master’s degree research focused on the role of narrative therapy in the healing process of behavioral disorders, PTSD and anxiety among abandoned children in Rwanda: A case study of SOS CVs of Byumba, Kigali and Kayonza. Prior to advanced university studies, she studied Clinical Psychology in her undergraduate education.
Before working with SOS Rwanda Children’s Villages of Rwanda, she worked with the former National Commission of Children (NCC) as a Psychologist (2015-2018), and with Kibungo Hospital as Supervisor of Community Health Workers (CHWs) at Kirwa Health Center (2011-2014); and with Association des Veuves du Genocide (AVEGA) as Clinical Psychologist. Francoise Karibwende is an active member of Rwanda Psychologists Society (RPS) at national level since April 2016. She has been the RPS Eastern Province Secretary since October 2015.
Mr. Innocent HITAYEZU is the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Wihogora Psyschosocial Centre. With 12 years in consultancy work since 2011 in socio-economic sector, he has supported both international and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in strategic plan, project evaluation, internal management systems, capacity building, organizational restructuring, proposal writing, market assessment, gender analysis & mainstreaming and Gender Based Violence prevention and responses programming and evlaution etc. These organizations include Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Action Aid International & Action Aid Rwanda, Expertise France, Women for Women International, Evangelist Enterprise (AEE), Kvinna till Kvinna; Oxfam, Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, Rwanda Women’s Network, Girl Effect Rwanda, AKWOS, HAGURUKA, Young Women Christian Association, Benimpuhwe, Transparency International Rwanda and SERUKA; just to mention a few.
Before consultancy work , he worked with renown International NGOs in senior management positions namely with Oxfam South Sudan as Civil Society Strengthening Project Manager (2011-20112); Oxfam Rwanda in quality of Policy Analysis & Advocacy Manager (2008-2011); VSO as National HIV&AIDS Coordinator (2007); Columbia University/Access Project in Rwanda as District Health Adviser (2006-2007); and with Population Services International (PSI) first as HIV&AISS Advocacy Coordinator (2004-2005) and then Youth HIV& AIDS Programs Manager (2005-2006). His work exposure in the Netherlands, USA, Germany, UK, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, DRC, Burundi, and Uganda. This has shaped his worldview and acceptance of world’s diversity has shaped his worldview and acceptance of diversity.
Guided by Think, Plan and Act Fast Principle, Mr. Innocent is agile, dynamic, enthusiastic, public motivator and analytical Manager. With a Master’s Degree in Gender and Development Studies, another Master’s degree in NGO Management; bachelor’s degree in sociology; and a diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies, He is an excellent communicator in English, French and Kinyarwanda (Native language).
Dr Athanase HATEGEKIMANA is licensed by Rwanda Medical and Dental Council as Chief Medical Officer and he is a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Professional holding a Master’s degree of science in Child and Adolescent Mental health. He has been working with children in psychiatric and general health facilities since 2013.
ABURURABO Daniel
I am a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMHN). I hold an advanced diploma in mental health nursing from Rwanda University; College of Medicine and Health Sciences; former Kigali Health Institute (KHI) and Bachelor’s degree from University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB) in Social Sciences option of Social work. In addition to my formal studies, I have pursued different trainings including; HIV/AIDS and Mental Healthcare integration training, training on motivational interviewing with trauma survivors, Good Clinical Practice (GCP)training, Substance Misuse training. Since 2012 I work at Ndera Neuro Psychiatric Teaching Hospital as a mental health nurse, I have worked in outpatient and inpatient, in different Wards including Ward for Men in crisis, Ward for Women in Crisis and Kundwa Centre for Children and adolescents.
Gamaliel is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rwanda. He is a passionate therapist with experience supporting youth to overcome problems related to how they feel such as depression and anxiety. In his work, he mostly uses the best techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other evidence-based approaches to help individuals recover from their difficulties faster. He is well versed in supporting people with depression, anxiety, negative habits such as addictions, and stress and emotional management. In the community, Gamaliel leads different initiatives that promote mental health awareness and empower youth to improve their wellbeing independently.