Rwanda: Street Children Get Skills
Rwanda: Street Children Get Skills
The New Times (Kigali)
October 20, 2006
James Tasamba
Kigali
About forty former street children picked from Ruhengeri town received certificates and tools on Wednesday October 18, after completing training in different technical activities.The children completed training in tailoring, carpentry, welding, and motor mechanics courtesy of caritas Ruhengeri dioceses.
Ruhengeri catholic dioceses’, Kizito Bahujimihigo handed over the certificates and work tools which included sewing machines, spanners, drilling machines and timber Landers and expressed the dioceses’ commitment to work with the government in shaping the youth to be productive and participate in the socio-economic development of their country.
"These children are part of our wider society and we should not let them wither in immorality. The catholic diocese is committed to work with government to find ways of integrating these children back to normal life" Kizitosaid.
Musanze District leader, Aimable Nsengimana, in charge of good governance who represented the mayor at the function, appealed to the children to utilise the tools offered to them properly in order to improve their living standards but not sell them for quick money. He said, "These tools if used properly can be a vital source of income; they are a good start as you integrate into normal life in society."
Nsengimana commended Caritas project for helping shape former street children into people with technical skills for income generation.
He noted that the action is in line with the government programme of helping all children live a descent life and with technical skills to improve their financial status. He reiterated the district’s commitment to have all children leave the street in Ruhengeri town. Emanuel Hakizimana, one of the children who received the training in carpentry expressed gratitude towards the training, which he said is a big boost for self employment. "I will never go back to the street" he vowed.
