179 former street children complete Reach Up Program at Iwawa Vocational Skills Development Centre

The Ministry of Youth and ICT awarded certificates of completion at the graduation ceremony for more than 179 former street children who completed the Reach Up Program in ICT, Business and Life Skills at Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre.

Speaking on behalf of those who completed the training, Jaques Nsabimana who trained in ICT skills spoke of how this program changed his life and that of his colleagues. “After completing this training, I want to be self employed, starting an electricity selling point in my village which will not only help me generate revenue but will also facilitate people in the neighborhood to easily have access to cash power.”

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT, Rosemary Mbabazi commended the youth who completed the program saying that it can be a foundation to start projects which will help them produce and earn more.

“ICT is an enabler of social-economic development and you can use it in your work to produce more in everything you do from farming, carpentry, commercial, masonry and tailoring.”

Initiated in Rwanda in 2010, Reach Up trains youth in business and ICT and link participants to business development and microfinance opportunities in their career of choice.

The Government of Rwanda established the rehabilitation and vocational skills development centre in 2010 in order to give street children the chance to forge a career off the streets.

Students at Iwawa not only take part in vocational training, but also enjoy cultural and sporting activities such as football, volley ball and boxing. They also watch movies relevant to their training at nights.