Editor,

When Iwawa Rehabilitation and Development Skills Centre was launched some time last year, it generated a lot of skepticism, mainly from the western media with many writing it off, branding it an Island of no return or torture of innocent children.

However, it’s now evident that some people just choose to criticize initiatives   brought up by the government even if they empower citizens with skills to create their own jobs.

Had the government listened to these negative criticisms, the children who enrolled at Iwawa Rehabilitation and Development Skills Centre would still be some where, loitering on the streets in Rwanda. I am sure the success of Iwawa Development Skills Centre would not please the eyes of the country’s detractors.

Come April, the former street children will graduate and bring to society more skills they have acquired in various fields, including carpentry, commercial farming and bee keeping.

I would, therefore,  wish to thank the government of Rwanda that took up this initiative.

Michael Murenzi
Ruhengeri