925 demobilized soldiers with disabilities (DSwDs) have acquired vocational skills  over the last five years.

This was revealed during a seminar organized by the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Committee (RDRC) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which funds the vocational skills training project.

"In addition to skills training, the project has also significantly contributed to the promotion of easier access to training centres by renovating some facilities to provide a friendlier environment for people with disabilities,” Eri Komukai, JICA’s peace building Senior Advisor said.

She informed the attendants that fifteen different types of skills training courses were offered at the Centres - tailoring, welding, brick-laying, Computer training, organic farming, electronics, leather-craft, carpentry, plumbing, life skills (for the blind), cooking, Orthopedic, Hotel and Silkscreen.

"Currently, around 100 DSwDs have enrolled in the ten skills training centres, and are expected to complete their training soon so that they can use the skills to rebuild their lives in the local communities,” she said.

Juvenile Karangwa, one of the DSwD’s who is partially blind, talked about how the project had redeemed his life and put him back on track.

"I was terribly ill and could not do anything on my own. But after enrolling with the RDRC/JICA project, I learnt how to use my disabled hand, I now tender our garden along with my wife. On top of the healthcare I was given, they were able to build me a nice house which I comfortably live in with my family,” he said.

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