RUTSIRO - The Ministry of Youth has officially launched a rehabilitation and vocational centre on Iwawa Island in Rutsiro District, Western Province.

During the launch, the Minister of Youth, Protais Mitali, appealed to the youth to have faith in the government and follow the centre’s programs which are designed to make them better people.

"We have designed the curriculum with the Work Force Development Agency in order to help you become better people useful for your families and country,” the minister told the youth, most of them former street children.

The 900 youth will undergo civic education sessions for six months after which they will be trained in vocational disciplines such as tailoring, mechanics, plumbing, hair dressing and agriculture.

"The centre is not a prison. However, staying here is mandatory,” Mitali underscored.

"You will go back needed in the job market since you will acquire relevant skills and certificates bearing testimony of what you have learnt.”

The centre’s coordinator, Jean Marie Munyaneza, appealed to the government to seek a solution to rural-urban migration which contributes to the rise of street children and idlers. The Minister pledged to install biogas for cooking and lighting.

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