At least 200 girls from 10 secondary schools across the country are currently gathered at FAWE Girls School in Kigali for a four-day mentorship conference.

The conference, under the theme "Building a generation of a transformative Leadership,” closes today. 

It is aimed at giving vulnerable young girls the foundation of life skills with a sense of self-esteem, self-awareness, transformative leadership skills, and academic excellence through career guidance.

Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, Edgar Atuhaire, the coordinator of the girls’ mentorship conference, said the programme brought together Fawe/ MasterCard Foundation sponsorship beneficiaries to create a platform, where the scholars can share their life experience and get inspired in principles of leadership development.

"The conference aimed at providing an opportunity for the scholars to meet and be inspired by people impacting the Rwandan community and provide a space for the young girls to reflect on themselves as future leaders, craft their future goals and aspirations,” Atuhaire said.

The holiday conference programme is provided by FAWE Rwanda in partnership with MasterCard Foundation. 

Scholars, most of whom are from poor backgrounds, were given opportunity to connect with their peers, and reflect on the idea of transformative leadership and the concept of giving back to the community.

"We give these children some financial support; we expect them to use that little opportunity to improve their livelihood but also be able to give back to their community. Through this training, they can as well inspire other fellow young ones or support them where necessary, to becoming responsible citizens,” Atuhaire said.

Francine Benegusenga, 18, a senior five student from Musanze District, said through life skills mentorship and training, she has been equipped with basic knowledge on how best to go through some of life’s challenges with integrity.

Benegusenga’s comments were echoed by Winfred Ingabire, 17, also in senior five at FAWE Girls’ School, Gahini.

"I would say this training is a torch that would provide me light to a better direction of life. The sessions have been good for me and for the rest of the girls, I trust that they have given us an opportunity to know the ways we can change our lives and achieve career dreams and ambitions,” said Uwayisenga.

Rose Busingye, a local businesswoman, was among the keynote speakers who extensively talked about financial independence, urging the girls to strive for better life through leading a visionary life.

She commended the workshop as a stepping stone to making the girls future leaders.

"As the adage goes; ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, every contribution counts for our nation to have a better future. A forum like this one is good for the education and for mentoring, and guiding young children to transform society into a better place,” said Busingye.

The sessions involved teacher, mentors and motivational speakers who spoke to girls about leadership and ethics, achieving academic success, building healthy relationships, health and lifestyle choices, and managing finances for accountability, among others.