WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — At least 1,400 people in Rubavu District have acquired literacy skills since last year, an official has said.

Emmanuel Nsabyimana, the district coordinator of the Vision Nouvelle Jeunesse de Gisenyi, [VJNG], an organisation that supports youth and teaches adult learners, said their organisation has set up 17 schools for adult education across the district.

Nsabyimana made the revelation recently while closing dance and drama competitions on human rights, in which participants drawn from their schools were awarded cash prizes.

According to Nsabyimana, the organisation targets youths who did not get chances to go to school.

He said that with support from Care International, VJNG is committed to reducing illiteracy levels in Rubavu district through providing people with literacy skills.

Apart from literacy programmes the organisation also sensitizes youth about of HIV/AIDS, campaigns against drug abuse and other criminal activities; by drawing youth together into sports activities. Nsabyimana said this reduces idleness among youth.

"In addition to human rights education, we have organized youth sports as well as music, dance and drama competitions in which HIV and other STDs awareness message has been conveyed to youth. We shall continue doing this to encourage good behaviour," he said.

"Most residents in Rubavu are energetic youth who can contribute to the county’s development, that is why much attention should be given to them," he explained.

VJNG was created in 2005 by a Canadian born priest, Fr Gabriel Rauzo, who has lived in Rwanda since 1977. It has supported 32,000 youth since its inception.

According to the founder, the association through support provided by various organizations has provided 600 pigs to poor families in Rubavu district; which he said had improved livelihood.

He continued that the organisation had future plans of teaching the youth small income-generating projects that could bail them out of poverty.

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