NYARUGURU - Members of a UK-based international organization, Make a Difference for Africa (MAD4Africa), on Wednesday officially opened a new vocational center worth over Rwf 18 million in Ngoma sector, Nyaruguru district.

The fully-fledged Kiyonza Professional Training Center will soon open its doors to 100 students from the area interested in studying tailoring, carpentry, masonry, and catering. 

MAD4 Africa project founder and chairman, Troy Aitken revealed that it had been his dream to work with the Rwandan people after serving as a volunteer in Nyaruguru.

The Executive Secretary of Ngoma sector, James Ndayingwa, hailed the organization for their support saying that the center will boost education and skills development in the district.

"The center comes as a solution to the problem of lack of life skills among many residents. Most of the children between the ages of 12 and 18 have not had a chance to go beyond elementary education,” he said.

Eileen Gilbey, project manager for the organization, said that the facility was a result of various fundraising activities aimed at making a difference for the people of Africa, especially in Rwanda.

"We will not walk away upon completion of the construction works. We will monitor the progress of students and teachers, and consider further investments in the future including extending the curriculum to health, nutrition and English language,” Gilbey said.  

MAD4Africa project, registered as an NGO in Rwanda, is made up of a group of volunteers based in the United Kingdom who are committed to assisting in community development of young people in Africa.

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