Ex-combatants urged to start income generating projects

The Chairman of RDRC, Jean Sayinzoga, on Friday, has advised ex-combatants to desist from selling tools they receive saying they are meant to help them start a new life.

Sunday, March 18, 2012
An Ex-combatant in a poultry farm. The Sunday Times / G. Mugoya

The Chairman of RDRC, Jean Sayinzoga, on Friday, has advised ex-combatants to desist from selling tools they receive saying they are meant to help them start a new life.He made the call during an event organized to award certificates to 54 ex-combatants who completed a six-month training course in electrical installation and electronics as well as tailoring.  "We have had many cases where your colleagues sell the tools we give them, but we shall not tolerate this any more,” cautioned Sayinzoga.The training that was organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with RDRC saw trainees receive various electronic tools and sewing machines."This has been given to me as a gift that can transform my life and the family, so I can not sell it,” said Johnson Binamungu, one of the beneficiaries who received a sewing machine, saying the skills acquired will open another chapter in his life JICA expert, Maho Harada, said her organization will not only continue supporting the disabled, but all Rwandans in general to transform their lives.She explained that the training was part of a three year project that will see about 2000 ex-combatants trained in various fields.