RUBAVU - The Ministry of Youth has established an elaborate rehabilitation and vocational training centre for former street children at Iwawa Island on Lake Kivu, in Rutsiro district.

According to Protais Mitali, the Minister of Youth, the centre has the capacity to accommodate more than 1,500 children.

"We have put all the necessary facilities in the rehabilitation centre, which also doubles as a vocational school. We currently have 900 former street children of varying ages there. We’re optimistic that they will come back responsible people equipped with various skills,” Mitali said.

"They will be taught civic education and relevant vocational skills that will help them in their daily life after spending time in the centre. What the government wants is to improve their living standards.”

The children currently at  the centre were formerly living in Gikondo transit centre. "Many more are expected from all over the country. We currently have boys alone but as we develop infrastructure, we shall accommodate girls soon,” Mitali added.

Speaking to The New Times, Dr Jean D’Arc Mujawamaliya, the Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, disclosed that other former street children mainly girls are to be taken to Gitagata for a similar training.

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