The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (Midimar),  in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Digital Opportunity Trust (Dot), has embarked on a programme to empower vulnerable Rwandans with business skills.

The programme targets 770 beneficiaries, most of them returnees previously evicted from Tanzania, among other vulnerable Rwandans identified from ten districts across the country.

The districts include; Bugesera, Karongi, Musanze, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Rubavu, Rutsiro and Rusizi.

As part of the partnership, a trainers training started in Kigali on Tuesday, facilitated by Dot, and it is these trainers that will train beneficiaries from their respective districts.

 Participants are being trained in carpentry, hairdressing, knitting, masonry, mechanics, tailoring and welding. They will then embark on training the beneficiaries, starting next week, and the programme will wind up in June.

The returnees will be trained on how to respond to customer needs and develop minimum viable products before investing a reasonable amount of money.

Addressing participants, Rose Kayumba, a project manager at Midimar, said; "Teach them like you are teaching your biological child and help build their confidence. Endeavor to win their confidence so they can freely interact with you.”

In partnership with Midimar, IOM will provide beneficiaries with vocational skills and support them to start up small scale businesses.

Violette Uwamariya, Dot Rwanda’s country director, urged the trainers to ensure the beneficiaries develop, manage and monitor their businesses.

The IOM representative, Eriko Nishimura, said they will ensure that the beneficiaries get start up kits and capital after they have completed the training.