NGOMA – DUKUNDANE Cooperative in Karembe sector, Ngoma district are teaching youth tailoring skills as an alternative to formal education.

Talking to The New Times yesterday, Jean Bosco Kivumbi, one of the founders of the cooperative, said their objectives was to offer opportunities to school dropouts and youths who never got chance to go to school.

"Many youth in rural areas drop-out or never go to school due to number of reasons. It therefore our responsibility as elders to see that they do not become vagabonds,” he said.

He explained that majority of the beneficiaries are girls and women who were deprived of their right to education because of traditional social stereotypes.

Jeanine Mugorewera, 19, one of the beneficiaries said the cooperative has restored hope to life.

"I already earn at least Rwf 10,000 a day by practicing my trade from the comfort of my house verandah,” she said.
The cooperative leaders, however, said they are financially constrained to acquire enough modern machines to give trainees upon completion of the training.

The cooperative started in 2005 and has registered more than 100 members so far, according to the founders.

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