RWAMAGANA - At least 40 artisans  practicing various forms of vocational skills in Musha sector, Rwamagana district, yesterday received certificates after completing a six-month vocational training. The training was organised by a local NGO known as Rwanda Association for Rural Development (ARDR).

The graduates who included young and elderly women and men, were trained in various vocational skills such as tailoring, weaving, soap and oil making. The best candidates received awards.

John Munyurangabo, ARDR Director said that training rural people is in line with their program which is slated for up scaling.

He however, called upon local authorities, to support their programme by enabling the graduates to start up their projects.

The Director added that the ultimate aim is to help rural population to form cooperatives.

"These are important life skills that the trainees must start practising. We shall be giving them startup kits to kick off their respective vocations,” he said.

Robert Giddings, an Englishman from Grimsby, UK working as ARDR field officer at the project, reiterated the importance of the training, saying that it is the foundation of forming cooperatives. He added that after the training, a person contributes meaningfully to a cooperative.

Angélique Nyiraguhimana, 45, one of the trainees said that she is happy with the kind of skills she acquired. ARDR operates in Muhazi, Musha and Gishari sectors of Rwamagana district.

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