1989
The FXB story began in 1986 with the tragic death of François-Xavier Bagnoud, a helicopter pilot specializing in rescue operations, who lost his life at the age of 24 during a mission in Mali. Three years later, buoyed by the support of her family and friends, Albina du Boisrouvray founded an organization in tribute to her only son, to which she would devote three quarters of her estate. FXB was born out of a desire to extend, through development actions, the values of rescue, generosity and compassion that inspired François-Xavier Bagnoud.
FXB's first action was to join forces with Médecins du Monde in "La Route des Droits de l'Enfant", a symbolic maritime journey linking Nantes to New York via the African coast and the West Indies. The aim of this initiative was to promote the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the UN. On arrival in New York, the young participants from all over the world were received by Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, then Secretary General of the United Nations, with whom they shared their thoughts and concerns. A declaration issued at the meeting called on governments to ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
1990
The FXB Center and the FXB Chair in Pediatric Community Care, Rutgers University (USA)) : Creation of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Chair in Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The Chair was awarded to Professor James Oleske. That same year, Dr. Oleske and Mary Boland launched the FXB International HIV Training Program in Pediatrics (FXB-ITP), which has enabled doctors, nurses and social workers from all over the world to acquire specific skills in the care of young patients.
Creation of FXB Thailand: Creation of FXB Thailand and opening of two FXB emergency shelters in Bangkok, in partnership with CPCR and MSF, to take in girls who have escaped from brothels or been evacuated by the police. A third FXB home soon opened in Chiang Mai, followed by a fourth in Chiang Rai. A reintegration program enables them, after receiving care, to prepare for their return to their families, to be taken in by another institution on a long-term basis, or to undergo training with a view to economic autonomy. This program has since been taken over by a local NGO. At the same time, FXB is setting up HIV/AIDS prevention, education and human and children's rights awareness programs in Bangkok, Buriram province and, via a local radio station, in the mountainous regions where the Akha people live. Through these initiatives, FXB aims to respond to the deteriorating living conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the increasing stigmatization and discrimination they suffer.
First mission to Uganda: First needs assessment mission to Uganda and establishment of a partnership with AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation).
1991
Creation of FXB India: FXB India was created in 1991 (it became FXB India Suraksha in 2007), with the opening of the FXB Asha Sadan Day Care Center in Baïna, in the red-light district of South Goa. This facility takes in the children of prostitutes, providing them with a safe and caring environment. In Goa, FXB has also supported an orphanage for young boys in Margoa and an orphanage for young girls in Rivona.
Since its inception, FXB has provided essential assistance to tens of thousands of marginalized and destitute children, women and communities across India every year. Through its actions in protection, education, health, access to water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as economic strengthening, FXB tackles the multidimensional causes of poverty and social injustice. 13 VillageFXB economic and community development programs have also been set up in the states of Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and the Territory of Pondicherry, enabling more than 7,000 adults and children to escape poverty in the long term. Between 2000 and 2010, FXB also ran extensive HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns in the 35 States and Territories of the Indian Union, raising awareness among several million people of the risks of transmitting the virus.
In April 1991, FXB launched "Les Rêves de François-Xavier " (François-Xavier's Dreams), an initiative aimed at fulfilling the dreams of children living in Switzerland who were suffering from serious illnesses or whose health had been severely affected by an accident. Its main aim was to offer these children a magical moment to help them cope better with illness and withstand the often trying treatments. In almost 30 years, 200 children have seen their dreams come true. Over time, numerous associations with the same objective have emerged in Switzerland. This development has led FXB to terminate the project, as its involvement is no longer necessary.
Donation to AMREF: Donation of two Cessna aircraft to the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) to be used for emergency evacuations and vaccination campaigns in remote areas of war-torn Kenya and Somalia.
Creation of FXB USA: Opening of the first FXB House in the United States, in Washington D.C., for children orphaned, HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS. FXB Homes, later expanded to Thailand, Colombia and Brazil, offer much more than medical care: they are based on the concept of Tender Loving Care - the belief that these children will have a better, longer life if they grow up in a loving, caring family environment. From babies to teenagers, most of these children are orphans or abandoned, and can't count on the support and love of their parents. The team that accompanies them has all the medical and human skills necessary for their well-being. The FXB House thus becomes their family and the setting for their children's lives. The opening of these Houses also represents a strong stance in the fight against the stigmatization and discrimination to which these children are subjected. It also represents an essential alternative for their access to palliative care. At the time, there was no effective treatment available for HIV-infected people, not even AZT. As soon as antiretrovirals became available in the region, FXB followed its usual strategy of handing over management of the project to a local NGO, so that it could devote itself to other development initiatives and the reduction of extreme poverty.
FXB Uganda founded : Launch of a first assistance program aimed at biological or extended families in the community who were taking in orphans. The aim was to give them the means to meet their basic needs, in order to raise, protect and offer a dignified future to these children. Each family received capital in kind to start up an income-generating activity, and benefited from support in terms of nutrition and schooling for their children. This program marked the first steps in our poverty reduction model: the VillageFXB economic and community development programs. Since its launch in Uganda in 1991, 211 VillageFXB programs have been implemented in 12 countries, enabling more than 120,000 people to escape extreme poverty and achieve economic and social autonomy.
1992
Thailand: Opening of 4 FXB Houses for children orphaned, HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS in Chiang Mai province, Thailand.FXB handed over the project to the Thai NGO "Support Children Foundation".
Creation of FXB Uruguay: FXB opens Casa FXB in Montevideo, an educational center for street children and vulnerable teenagers. Its aim is to provide them with the tools they need to face the challenges of poverty and help them develop a sustainable life project. Following a lengthy campaign led by Albina du Boisrouvray, many of the families of the young people welcomed at Casa FXB were able to gain access to decent housing. FXB then launched agricultural activities to improve their quality of life, both economically and in terms of access to adequate food. In addition, FXB worked with UNICEF to integrate a new budget line into the national budget, guaranteeing financial support for families caring for orphans. FXB handed this program over to a local NGO to ensure its sustainability.
Publication on HIV/AIDS: Publication of "AIDS in the World I" by the Global AIDS Policy Coalition (GAPC) in partnership with the FXB Foundation.
FXB House in Kenya: Opening of the FXB House, on the outskirts of Nairobi, for children orphaned, HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS. FXB handed over the project to a local organization.
Summer camp in Crans-Montana for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster: FXB organized a summer camp in Crans-Montana, in the Swiss canton of Valais, for 30 children suffering from leukemia or cancer as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. Two years later, a kindergarten in Minsk was fully equipped to provide a suitable environment for young children affected by the consequences of the disaster. To finance this initiative, FXB organized a soccer match in Sion, bringing together former international and Swiss soccer stars.
Rescue and reintegration of young women exploited on the Thai-Burmese border: In July 1992, FXB received a call for help from young women exploited on the Thai-Burmese border. Subjected to veritable sexual slavery, they were beaten, malnourished and exposed to an extremely high risk of contamination by HIV/AIDS. Faced with this alarming situation, Albina du Boisrouvray alerted Saisuree Chutikul, advisor to the Thai Prime Minister, specializing in the status of women and the fight against child prostitution. Following this intervention, the police carried out a raid and freed 153 women and girls, including 95 Burmese, aged between 14 and 20. Of these, 50% were HIV-positive. A few months later, they were repatriated to their country of origin. In September 1993, FXB set up a professional and social reintegration program in Burma, offering these young women personalized support, adapted to their aspirations and aptitudes, to enable them to rebuild their lives.
Creation of FXB Colombia: Opening of La Maison FXB in Barranquilla for children orphaned, HIV-positive or suffering from AIDS.
Creation of the Centre FXB de soins palliatifs à domicile, in Sion, Switzerland: Born of Albina du Boisrouvray's desire to offer people at the end of life the possibility of dying at home, FXB founded the Centre François-Xavier Bagnoud de soins palliatifs à domicile (CFXB) in Sion. This structure provided dedicated care and support for terminally ill people, when curative medicine could no longer act. The CFXB offered home palliative care to anyone living in the central Valais region, providing comprehensive care that combined nursing care, psychological support and logistical assistance, both for the patient and his or her family. The center also ran bereavement groups throughout the year. In all, 800 people and their families were supported by the CFXB team, which ceased operations for good on January 1, 2010. Its expertise, forged over 18 years of commitment, has been fully integrated into the Pôle de compétences en médecine et soins palliatifs of the Réseau Santé Valais, thus guaranteeing the continuity of its know-how and humanistic approach.
1993
Creation of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University: Creation of the FXB Chair and Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University's School of Public Health. The Center will move into the FXB Building, which was constructed to house it in 1996. This Center is the result of a visionary partnership between Albina du Boisrouvray and Dr. Jonathan Mann, who will be the first professor to hold the Chair. The FXB Center for Health and Human Rights is the first academic center to focus exclusively on these issues. It addresses many health issues from the perspective of fundamental rights, which must be correlated with the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals and populations, and promotes the idea that health and human rights are inextricably linked.
Launch of a pioneering hospice in Thailand: Initiation of a partnership with monk Ahra Alingar (Pra Alongot) to launch a pioneering hospice in the Buddhist temple of Lopburi, which will care for AIDS patients in the final stages of their lives.
(This project has been taken over by the Dhammaraksanives Foundation)
1994
Creation of FXB Brazil and opening of the FXB House in Sao Paulo for orphaned children, HIV-positive children, and children with AIDS. In addition, following joint action by FXB and several Brazilian NGOs, the Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the amendment of Article 18 of the Patent Law (9.279/96), allowing Brazilian pharmaceutical companies to produce generic antiretroviral drugs, significantly reduce the price of triple therapy, and make it more widely available.
Formation of a national committee to combat prostitution in Thailand: made up of representatives from the Thai government, NGOs including FXB Thailand, and organizations such as UNICEF, the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in order to develop a national action plan to combat prostitution and human trafficking to Thailand and organize lobbying efforts. This committee was set up following the rescue operation launched in 1992 by Albina du Boisrouvray, Founding President of FXB, and Senator Saisuree Chutikul, then Advisor to the Thai Prime Minister and responsible for women's issues and child prostitution, to rescue young women who had been forcibly recruited into prostitution networks.
1995
Creation of FXB Rwanda. A few months after the genocide inRwanda, the urgent need was to protect the population. FXB therefore launched an initial phase of reconstruction involving 528 houses to rehouse widows, orphans, and children made vulnerable by this tragedy, some of whom were HIV-positive. Since then, FXB has expanded its activities to serve vulnerable populations throughout all provinces of the country. It develops complementary programs aimed at promoting access to fundamental human rights and social justice. More than one million adults and children have already benefited from FXB's presence in their communities throughits VillageFXB poverty alleviation programs and projects for infrastructure rehabilitation, access to water and sanitation, early childhood education and development, nutrition, protection, and prevention.
1996
Launch of the first VillageFXB program in Rwanda. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Rwanda. Since then, this model has been widely replicated across the country, enabling more than 65,000 children and adults to transition from extreme poverty to economic and social self-sufficiency.
New joint publication by FXB on HIV/AIDS. Publications from "AIDS in the World II" by the Global AIDS Policy Coalition (GAPC) and the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard.
Participation in the UN ECOSOC. FXB obtains special consultative status with ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council).
Launch of a new program by FXB Switzerland. FXB Switzerland organizes vacation camps for vulnerable children in French-speaking Switzerland who never have the opportunity to go on vacation.
1997
Inauguration of the FXB Home Palliative Care Center in France. Launch of the FXB Home Palliative Care Center in Paris, France. In 2003, FXB transferred its expertise in this field to the Croix Saint-Simon Foundation so that it could take over the program and integrate it into the state system.
FXB campaign against forced child labor. Campaign against forced child labor with Swiss company Charles Veillon, whose factories in India were supervised by FXB.
1998
Creation of FXB Bolivia. FXB launches a one-off economic and social development program aimed at improving the quality of life and strengthening the capacities of vulnerable women in Machacamarca,Bolivia.
1999
FXB celebrates its 10th anniversary!
Creation of FXB South Africa. Launch of the first after-school support program.
2000
Expansion of programs in India. In India, expansion of programs related to HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Delhi and in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Manipur, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. Special attention is given to migrant workers.
Publication of "FXB Orphan Alert: International Perspectives on Children Left Behind by HIV/AIDS." The three-volume collection "FXB Orphan Alert: International Perspectives on Children Left Behind by HIV/AIDS" was developed by FXB as a resource for a wide range of readers interested in issues related to orphans.
Expansion of FXB India programs. FXB India: expansion and diversification of programs in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.
New FXB publication on HIV/AIDS. Publication of "FXB Orphan Alert: International Perspectives on Children Left Behind by HIV/AIDS." FXB has developed this volume as a resource for a wide range of readers interested in issues surrounding AIDS orphans.
2001
Launch of a new program by FXB India. FXB India is creating a network of more than 10,000 barbers across India, trained to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention information to their customers.
First FXB well in Niger. Construction of the first FXB well for and with the Tuareg population in northern Niger.
Launch of a database for AIDS orphans. This database is a joint initiative between FXB and the Early Childhood Development (ECD) team of the World Bank's Education Sector, enabling organizations and individuals to help children in a coordinated manner.
2002
Creation of FXB Mongolia. Launch of a one-off HIV/AIDS prevention program in Mongolia, at the request of and in partnership with the government, which wanted to benefit from FXB's extensive experience in this field in India, where FXB conducts HIV/AIDS-related activities in all 35 states and territories of the Indian Union.
Creation of FXB Togo. Creation of FXB Togo to help vulnerable populations in Siou by strengthening medical and educational facilities and providing widespread access to drinking water in communities.
First World AIDS Orphans Day. On the initiative of its founder, Albina du Boisrouvray, FXB launched the first World AIDS Orphans Day (JMOS). To mark the occasion, she created a symbolic safety net for AIDS orphans consisting of two million signatures (without the support of social media at the time), including that of the UN Secretary-General.
HIV/AIDS prevention program by FXB Myanmar. FXB Myanmar is launching a large-scale HIV/AIDS prevention and human trafficking awareness program targeting bus and truck drivers and their passengers across the country.
New FXB-funded publication on HIV/AIDS. Publication of AIDS in the Twenty-First Century by Tony Barnett and Alan Whiteside. Funded by the FXB Foundation, this groundbreaking study argues that it is essential to consider the disease in its entirety. Accessible, this book remains essential reading for policymakers, students, and anyone concerned with the links between health and society.
Recognition of the VillageFXB model. In its annual report on the epidemic, UNAIDS cited the VillageFXB model in a case study as an effective response to the needs of children affected by AIDS.
Albina is a member of the Schwab Foundation's Social Entrepreneurs Group. Albina du Boisrouvray is one of the first 30 members of the Schwab Foundation's Social Entrepreneurs Group. This recognition allows social entrepreneurs in the group to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos to present and share their expertise with global leaders in politics, economics, and civil society.
2003
HIV/AIDS prevention program by FXB Colombia. FXB Colombia is joining a major three-year initiative to set up HIV/AIDS prevention workshops for the most vulnerable groups, such as street children and sex workers. More than 165,000 people have been reached by this initiative. In addition, as part of the United Nations program to raise awareness about mother-to-child transmission of HIV, FXB Colombia is the leading organization conducting workshops throughout the Caribbean region, including with coal miners in La Guajira.
Launch of Global Action for Children. In the late 1990s, Albina du Boisrouvray launched Global Action for Orphans (GAO) to draw public and government attention to the plight of millions of orphans left behind by AIDS. Her lobbying convinced Senator Kerry to introduce Bill 16/9 in the US Congress, but the bill failed to pass due to a lack of support.
Inspired by Kerry's bill, Senator Hyde introduced a new bill that became Public Law 108-25 on May 17, 2003: The U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. Thanks to Senator McCollum's persistent lobbying, this law contains an amendment requiring that 10 percent of the funds allocated to this project be spent on HIV/AIDS assistance for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2003, Albina du Boisrouvray and Paul Zeitz decided to extend this lobbying to other vulnerable children by launching Global Action for Children (GAC), which was officially established in 2004. GAC, co-chaired by Albina du Boisrouvray and directed by Jennifer Delaney, has achieved numerous successes. In particular, it developed a set of recommendations to the U.S. Congress, supported by Senator McCollum, which led in 2005 to a specific law for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries: Public Law 109-95 (PEPFAR), signed by President George W. Bush. This was the first comprehensive legislative response to the global crisis of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).
These efforts by the GAO, until 2003, and the GAC resulted in the allocation of $3 billion (10% of PEPFAR funding) for programs for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Although the GAC ceased operations in
2004
Start of partnership with AIDS ARK in India. FXB Indiainitiates a partnership withAIDS ARK(AA), a British NGO whose mission is to raise funds to purchase antiretroviral triple therapy drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh.
2005
Participation in the Clinton Global Initiative. Albina du Boisrouvray joined the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), which brings together a community of leaders from around the world to exchange and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. This initiative is distinguished by its determination to bring about rapid change and its focus on concrete action by each of its members. The president of FXB made several commitments that year andinsubsequentyears.
In collaboration with theGreenBelt Movement, FXB has implemented measures to achieve carbon neutrality by mitigating the environmental costs of its organizational activities—such as travel, paper use, lighting, and heating—through tree planting.
In partnership with the United Nations Foundation, Albina has committed to convening a think tank bringing together key economic leaders from the public and private sectors, bilateral aid agencies, NGOs, ministries from developing countries, and internet companies to better understand how to effectively use new technologies in the field of development aid.
FXB has also launched 30 VillageFXB programs over a five-year period, aimed at lifting 18,000 adults and children out of extreme poverty in Africa and Asia.
In partnership with Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) in India, FXB has developed HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs for the 10,000 employees, often vulnerable migrant workers, of its partner's subsidiaries.
Through a partnership and funding provided to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, FXB is committed to providing medical care and psychological support to Israeli and Palestinian children affected by the conflict. The project components included training Palestinian doctors through scholarships at Israeli hospitals, providing access to medical care for Palestinian children at these hospitals, and establishing twin soccer schools to foster friendships between Israeli and Palestinian children.
2006
Launch of the first VillageFXB in Thailand. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. Many parents who had migrated south to find seasonal work lost their lives in the tsunami. FXB's goal is to help grandparents, who are doubly vulnerable due to grief and poverty, achieve economic and social independence so that they can care for, protect, and raise the orphans in their care.
Certificate of Merit for FXB Rwanda. Mrs. Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of Rwanda, awards a Certificate of Merit to FXB Rwanda in recognition of its outstanding work in caring for orphans and vulnerable children.
Launch of JLICA. Launch of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and HIV/AIDS (JLICA), of which FXB is a founding member. JLICA is an independent alliance of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and people living with HIV, dedicated to improving the well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Creation of FXB Burundi. Creation of FXB Burundi and launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Bujumbura.
Creation of FXB China. Creation of FXB China and launch of two VillageFXB poverty eradication pilot programs for families affected by HIV/AIDS in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
2007
First FXB Villages in India. FXB India Suraksha launches its first five VillageFXB poverty eradication programs for marginalized communities affected by HIV/AIDS in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and West Bengal, and opens the FXB Day Center for children living in train stations and on the streets of Jaipur (Rajasthan).
External evaluation Rwanda. Conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa) in Rwanda, this evaluation, led by Chris Desmond, showed that 86% of beneficiaries of VillageFXB poverty eradication programs still live above the poverty line four years after leaving the program. 97% are still running their initial income-generating activity. Their children attend school regularly, for longer periods of time, and achieve better results than their peers.
2008
Launch of the first VillageFXB in China. FXB launches its first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Sichuan, targeting the Yi community.
Launch of a new program by FXB Colombia. FXB Colombia is inaugurating an HIV/AIDS prevention program, in the native language of its beneficiaries, aimed at the Wayuu community living in the remote region of the province of La Guajira.
Contribution from FXB Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis. The devastating Cyclone Nargis caused the deaths of 140,000 people. FXB Myanmar responded immediately by setting up several emergency aid and reconstruction programs for 55,000 people. FXB also launched 20 Child-Friendly Spaces in partnership with UNICEF.
Recognition of FXB's work by UNICEF. In UNICEF's 2008 annual report,Children and AIDS, 2nd progress report, the VillageFXB model was cited as a remarkable example of a community program for vulnerable families.
Documentary on Albina du Boisrouvray. Empreintes, fromFrance 5, dedicates a documentary toAlbina du Boisrouvray. Au nom de fils(In theName ofHerSons) is directed byOlivier Horn and produced byGédéon ProgrammesandFrance 5, with the participation ofTSRand theCNC. From Thailand to Burma, Uganda to the Swiss Alps, the film takes us on a journey alongside the beneficiaries and communities supported by Albina du Boisrouvray.
2009
FXB celebrates its 20th anniversary! "We don't know how François-Xavier would have lived his life, but we know that he would be happy and proud of what has been achieved in his name for the most vulnerable." Albina du Boisrouvray and Bruno Bagnoud.
Recognition for FXB China. The VillageFXB program in Yunnan is cited as a proven solution for meeting the deep psychological needs of orphans and vulnerable children in a collection published by UNICEF: "Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS." It lists best practices for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, treatment, and care for
Publication of a report on AIDS. Publication of the final report of the Joint Research Initiative on Children and AIDS (JLICA), of which FXB is one of the main partners. "Uncomfortable Truths: Children, AIDS, and Poverty" calls for a reorientation of policies in countries hard hit by AIDS.
Creation of FXB Democratic Republic of Congo. Creation of FXB DRC and launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Goma. From 2009 to 2014, more than 2,000 children and adults transitioned from extreme poverty to economic and social independence. More than 6,000 people have benefited from FXB's presence in their communities through various training courses and activities.
Launch of VillageFXB programs in Rwanda and Uganda. Simultaneous launch of 20 VillageFXB poverty eradication programs in Rwanda and Uganda, thanks to PEPFAR funding granted in December 2008.
Publication by FXB South Africa.
On World AIDS Orphans Day, FXB South Africa publishesIridescent Reflections, a collection of stories and poems written by 250 children and adolescents from our after-school support and psychosocial and interpersonal skills development programs in South African townships.
Publication by FXB India. Publication of a collection of testimonials: "Hopes Alive: Surviving AIDS and Despair." Among those present at the book launch in Kolkata and Delhi were Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Founder and President of FXB Albina du Boisrouvray, and Director General of the National Organization for the
External evaluation Thailand.
Conducted by Thaksin University, this evaluation of the VillageFXB program in Buriram found that 100% of young participants completed primary school and moved on to secondary education, compared to a national average of 40% for primary school completion.
There was a 60% to 62% increase in the average income of participating families, and
2010
Recognition of FXB's work by Amartya Sen. The "VillageFXB" poverty eradication methodology is remarkably similar to the "capabilities approach" developed by Amartya Sen, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics.In a 2010 interview, he noted that, in his opinion, FXB is doing extraordinary work and deserves more recognition.
Integration of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) component into VillageFXB poverty eradication programs. Science shows that the most critical phase of brain development occurs during the first 24 months of a child's life. Intense stressors, such as poverty, violence, or being orphaned, can disrupt this development, and the damage can be irreversible. That is why our teams have received specific training on early childhood development, including a coaching technique based on "family games" that teaches parents how to interact effectively with their children.
2011
Recognition of FXB's work by Edgar Morin. In his bookLa Voix,Edgar Morin, the renowned French sociologist and philosopher, emphasized that: "An organization such as the François-Xavier Bagnoud Association, which fights poverty and AIDS in Africa, works in perfect harmony with the communities it helps." (p. 125)
New publication from FXB South Africa. Young participants in after-school support programs andpsychosocial and interpersonal skills development programs in the country's slums were invited to write poems, which were thenpublishedin a collection with the evocative title:"Walk a Mile in My Shoes."
New Publication from Harvard University's FXB Center. A report published by Harvard University's FXB Center for Health and Human Rights and FXB International:"Removing 'Unfreedoms', Decreasing Vulnerability in Economic and Food Security: Year 1 Results of the FXB-Village Model in Rwanda and Uganda," demonstrates that the holistic approach adopted in terms of assistance and support in accessing basic needs and training in financial inclusion leads, among other things, to increased food security and economic assets, as well as higher school enrollment rates among FXB Village participants, after just one year of the program.
First VillageFXB in Colombia. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Barranquilla, Colombia.
New program in Myanmar. FXB Myanmar is launching an innovative social and community development program through participatory theater. Designed in partnership with the British Council, the goal of"Human Drama"is to help people become aware of various issues related to health, human trafficking, domestic violence, the justice system, etc.
The aim is to bring about behavioral change by creating a supportive environment where audience members can freely express their opinions and work together to identify and implement the best solutions to the problems they face.
2012
New publication from Harvard University's FXB Center. In spring 2012, Harvard University's FXB Center for Health and Human Rights published"The Cost of Inaction."With Professors Amartya Sen and Suchir Anand leading the project, economists and public health researchers address the complex challenges of enumerating and quantifying the multiple social and economic costs that arise when societies fail to meet the pressing needs of their most vulnerable members, namely children. This project addresses previously unaddressed public health questions: What are the costs of inaction, and are the costs of inaction greater than the costs of action? As Amartya Sen notes in the book's preface, theCOIis primarily intended for policymakers who need to set priorities based on the analytical and empirical framework provided in the book.
Chapter 5 of the COI focuses on research carried out as part of its VillageFXB programs in Rwanda: Scande-up FXB Intervention: An integrated approach to poverty reduction.
Excerpt from Amarty Sen's preface to the book "Cost of Inaction." " This work was initiated by the insights of Albina du Boisrouvray, a visionary activist whose clear understanding of the consequences of inaction inspired and guided this research.
"It is in the world of decision-makers that one of the most important uses of the bookThe Cost of Inaction(COI) can be made, as they must set priorities based on an analytical and empirical framework, which is precisely what theCOI provides."
Post-cyclone emergency response in India. On December 30, 2011, a violent cyclone struck the coast of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, India. The new year looked set to be disastrous for the region's inhabitants, some of whom had lost everything. Thanks to its teams on the ground, FXB India was able to quickly put in place the emergency response measures needed to help beneficiaries of the VillageFXB program in Villupuram and surrounding communities.
2013
Launch of an FXB Rwanda pilot project. Launch of an innovative agricultural technology for soil amendment using biochar. This plant-based charcoal, obtained by pyrolysis of biomass from various organic sources, is used to capture carbon, enrich the soil with nutrients, and reduce water consumption. This method, brought to Rwanda by FXB, increases yields by between 4% and 189%, depending on the crop and soil quality. An assessment of the quality of the biochar produced was also carried out by the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) in 2017. The parameters tested included organic matter content, pH, and nitrogen. The RSB concluded that the quality of this biochar is convincing and that its content contributes to improving Rwanda's soils.
Recognition for FXB Uganda. FXB Uganda receives a Certificate of Appreciation for its efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS from the local government of Wasiko.
Launch of a new program by FXB South Africa. FXB South Africa is launching a three-year vocational training program for 90 vulnerable teenagers. Nearly 90% of the young people found employment after completing the training, and 3% of them continued their studies.
FXB India Suraksha rescues 51 children in Jaipur. A raid conducted jointly with local police rescued 51 children, including 27 underage girls, from the clutches of traffickers. Held captive in a house in Jaipur, India, some of the children had been abducted more than 10 years ago.
Award ceremony for FXB China. The VillageFXB poverty eradication programs were awarded the"Special Contribution"prize for their involvement in the development of the Yi community. This prize was awarded by the Yi Culture Research Center of the Central University for Nationalities and the Social Protection Foundation in China.
2014
FXB is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Nearly 17 million adults and children have benefited from FXB's presence in their communities through its VillageFXB economic and community development programs, infrastructure rehabilitation, access to water, hygiene and sanitation, education, protection, and awareness, particularly through large-scale HIV/AIDS and human trafficking prevention campaigns.
Recognition for FXB Rwanda. FXB Rwanda receives a national certificate of merit in recognition of its efforts to improve the living conditions of the population of the Nyamirambo district during 2013-2014.
Launch of a field education partnership between FXB and the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. Students from various departments at Harvard University will support FXB programs in their respective fields and, in return, will be able to increase their knowledge and experience in development, health, and human rights in the field, working with the most vulnerable communities (2014-2018).
"Capturing Hope" Exhibition. To mark FXB's 25th anniversary, internationally renowned London-based photographer Jillian Edelstein traveled to China, Colombia, India, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi to capture, through her sensitive and talented lens, the faces, hopes, and accomplishments of families participating in VillageFXB poverty eradication programs. The series of 41 photos was successfully exhibited at the prestigious Oxo Gallery in London, at Sotheby's, at the Galerie Charpentier in Paris, at the International School of Hotel Management Les Roches in Bluche, and then at the Espace Muraille in Geneva.
2015
FXB returns to Mongolia. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty reduction program in Dornogovi province. Rural exodus is a major problem, leading to the creation of yurt neighborhoods on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. Migrant populations have very few job opportunities and live in extremely precarious sanitary conditions. Our main objective is to help vulnerable families in this desert region to create economic opportunities at home rather than migrating to the capital.
Publication of the FXBVillage Toolkit and Planning Guide. Online publication of the FXBVillage Toolkit and Planning Guide. On the occasion of FXB's 25th anniversary, Albina du Boisrouvray wanted to make the recognized VillageFXB poverty eradication model accessible to other organizations wishing to strengthen their approach to combating extreme poverty. This toolkit—developed in collaboration with experts from the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and endorsed by world-renowned development economist Sudhir Anand and 1998 Nobel Prize winner in Economics Amartya Sen — provides step-by-step guidance on the VillageFXB methodology, from its
Launch of a new program by FXB India. Launch of a large-scale WASH program in 34 villages in Jharkhand, a state in eastern India. Aiming to reach 32,000 people over three years, this program, conducted in partnership with the Akvo FLOW Foundation, provides local communities with the ability to monitor water quality and accessibility through a mobile smartphone app.
Documentary on a VillageFXB program in Burundi. Production of the documentary "Chronicle of Success": filmed in Burundi, it describes the transition of four participants in VillageFXB programs from a life of extreme poverty to a life marked by dignity. By recounting how these determined women gain their independence and economic and social autonomy, this documentary gives viewers a glimpse of what needs to be done to eradicate extreme poverty.
External evaluation Rwanda and Uganda. Using comprehensive data from the VillageFXB poverty reduction model evaluation methodology, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard compared the status of beneficiary families before and after their participation in the programs with a sample of families who had been part of national Demographic Health Surveys. The study includes data from 20 programs operating between 2009 and 2012 in Rwanda and Uganda, representing more than 1,500 households. The evaluation findings conclude that VillageFXB programs led to marked improvements in economic security, health, and
2016
Launch of the Mukti program in India. Conducted in collaboration with ECPAT Luxembourg, Mukti aims to reduce the incidence of trafficking of women and children for sexual and commercial exploitation.
Nomination of a child from Jaipur railway station in India. Ramzaan Kaan has been nominated for the "2016 International Children's Peace Prize." At 17, Ramzaan experienced the hell of drugs and street violence before being reintegrated into society thanks to the FXB Day Center, which helped him develop his drawing and painting skills. He has become an inspiration to many street children. The young
External evaluation India. A VillageFXB poverty reduction program in Villupuram, India, was evaluated by an independent researcher to measure the sustainability of its impacts. The beneficiaries' participation in the program had ended a year earlier. Twelve months later, all the women beneficiaries were still involved in Income-Generating Activities (IGAs).
2017
Recognition for FXB Mongolia. FXB Mongolia receives the "Mongolian Quality" award and its director, Erdenetuya Jambal, the "Best Manager" medal, both awarded by the National Committee for Business and Development. FXB Mongolia is thus ranked among the best NGOs in the country.
FXB in Burkina Faso.
Launch of a partnership with the Morija Association in Burkina Faso. A partnership with the Morija Association in Burkina Faso has been launched, with the overall objective of improving the nutritional status and practices of the inhabitants of the commune of Nobéré, with a particular focus on women and children.
New vocational training program in Myanmar. FXB Myanmar is launching a vocational training program in sustainable hospitality and tourism in Ngapali, a seaside resort in Rakhine State. In a region with few training opportunities, this program offers disadvantaged young people the chance to acquire
Promoting a culture of non-violence in Gaza. Albina du Boisrouvray, founder and honorary president of FXB, has initiated a partnership with PalThink for Strategic Studies, an independent think tank and working group created in 2007. The aim is to carry out activities designed to promote, disseminate, and reinforce the concept, culture, and principles of nonviolence within Palestinian society, specifically targeting
First VillageFXB in Myanmar. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in Mon State, Myanmar. This program will enable nearly 500 adults and children to transition from extreme poverty to economic and social independence in three years. The same year will also see the launch of a road safety awareness program. The country's roads
90,000 trees in Mongolia. The FXB Mongolia team and families benefiting from its VillageFXB poverty reduction program took part in a major community effort to plant nearly 90,000 trees suited to the poor, arid soil of Dornogovi Aimag.
2018
External evaluation in Burundi. An independent consultant conducted a retrospective evaluation of the eight VillageFXB poverty reduction programs carried out in Burundi between 2006 and 2017. The 800 beneficiary families were divided into three analysis groups, based on the time elapsed between the evaluation period and the end of the households' participation in the programs. This evaluation, carried out between 1 and 12 years after the end of the programs, shows that 74% of households find food on a regular basis, 83% of households have access to improved sanitation facilities, between 44% and 56% of households save regularly, and average monthly incomes are above the regional average. Read the full evaluation.
First VillageFXB in Namibia. Launch of the first VillageFXB poverty eradication program in a slum near Windhoek, Namibia. Run in partnership with local NGO HISA Namibia, the program will enable nearly 520 adults and children to transition from extreme poverty to economic and social independence in three years.
Floods in Burundi. Thanks to the responsiveness and generous support of the King Baudouin Foundation, the Arcanum Foundation, Solidarité Internationale du Canton de Genève, and the SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), FXB was able to restart agricultural activities and rebuild toilets and houses (using semi-industrial, environmentally friendly bricks) for some 200 families in the VillageFXB programs who had lost everything or almost everything in the floods of April 2018 in Burundi.
New FXB program in France. FXB France is launching a program to distribute essential hygiene products to homeless women and their children in the Paris region.
2019
FXB International is celebrating its 30th anniversary! Thirty years of action is also a time to take stock: 18 million adults and children have benefited from FXB's presence in their communities through its VillageFXB economic and community development programs, infrastructure rehabilitation, access to water, hygiene, and sanitation, education, protection, and awareness, particularly through large-scale HIV/AIDS and human trafficking prevention campaigns. Through its VillageFXB poverty reduction model, launched in 1991, 10 people have been lifted out of poverty every day.
Recognition for FXB Mongolia. FXB Mongolia receives the award for best NGO in Dornogovi aimag in the "Development" category.
External evaluation Rwanda. A partnership with the City of Paris, which has been ongoing since 2006, has already enabled FXB to help more than 900 families (nearly 5,500 people) achieve economic and social independence in Kigali, Rwanda. An evaluation conducted by Le Group'-Consultants Mutualisés Experts du Secteur Solidaire in 2019 revealed, among other things, that among these families—some of whom graduated from the program 10 years ago — 81% have continued to cultivate vegetable gardens, primarily for their own consumption, beyond the duration of the project. All of the homes visited showed a particular effort to implement adequate hygiene and environmental protection practices. 81% of parents reported a high level of satisfaction with the support they received for their children's education. Former participants also expressed.
New FXB program in the USA. FXB USA is launching the FXB Climate Advocates initiative, which aims to equip young climate activists with the knowledge and tools to mobilize climate action at the local, national, and international levels, position climate change as a public and global health emergency, and promote more climate-friendly individual and collective behaviors.
2020
Launch of a floating clinic in Myanmar. In Myanmar, the "Health and Care Floating Clinic – a Maurice Machoud Foundation/FXB International Joint Initiative" will provide 12,000 people living along the Irrawaddy River with access to adequate healthcare each year.