Village Health Works

Village Health Works (VHW) is a non-profit organization based in the United States and working in Kigutu, Burundi with a mission of providing compassionate, culturally sensitive and excellent quality care to its patients in a safe and dignified environment.

VHW was founded by Deogratias Niyizonkiza, an American citizen born in Burundi. Working in Burundi with communities suffering from socio-economic and health deprivation, VHW creates and strengthens health care facilities and services, secures clean water and safe food, and provides health education and economic opportunity.

VHW began by opening a health center in Kigutu, where people have had almost no access to the most basic health care. With support from Partners In Health (PIH), VHW continues to recruit, train, and employ local health professionals.

In addition to collaborating closely with community members, VHW works in partnership with the Burundi Ministry of Health and HIV/AIDS as well as other private and intergovernmental organizations who share its mission.

Village Health Works is in its third year of operations, yet it has already seen tens of thousands of patients who would otherwise have no access to care, and completed construction of outpatient facilities. In its initial phase, clinical activities are focused on primary care, particularly pediatrics and women’s health. Comprehensive services for HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB prevention and care, and a nutritional support program are also being rolled out.

VHW employs a rights-based approach to health, providing care and medical treatment to all comers, regardless of the ability to pay. This is a central tenet of the VHW operational mission.