WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — A group of 22 women drawn from the Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts have undergone training in various vocational skills.

The 12-day training that ended on Sunday, November 16, at Auberge Gloria in Kamembe, was organised by the Rwanda Aid, a US based charity organisation.

The participants were equipped with skills in weaving different types of baskets, making necklaces out of paper wastes and how to make various types of hand bags. 

Addressing the trainees, David Chaplin, the Chief Executive of the Rwanda Aid, urged them to go back and use the acquired skills to fight poverty. He also asked the participants to share the knowledge with other women in the region.

Chaplin, called upon the trainees to always strive to weave baskets of top quality in order to compete with other basket dealers not only on the local market but internationally.

"It’s crucial for you on behalf of all women in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts to have completed 12 days learning how to weave various types of baskets as this will improve your living standards socially and economically,” he said.

He added, "I encourage you to go back….. and work as our ambassadors by teaching the same skills to your fellow women who did not have a chance to attend this seminar.”

In a separate interview, Chaplin said that the Rwanda Aid is committed to helping build the capacity of residents in the two districts in order for them to have a better future. He explained the training was geared at finding employment for women in the two districts as a tool to fight poverty.

According to Chaplin, the Rwanda Aid would help the beneficiaries to find markets for their products in UK, Europe and US. And they would build training centres to facilitate their future training programmes.

On behalf of Rusizi district, Christopher Ruhumuriza, commended the Rwanda Aid for organising the training and called upon them to extend similar training to other women country-wide.

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