Like other young women who aspire to live a successful life, Christine dreamed of a brighter future from an early age. However, her dreams seemed to be broken by early pregnancy nearly at the age of 18, when she was in year two of secondary school. Today, at the age of 22, Christine (second names not mentioned to protect her) ’s life presents a different story of resilience and empowerment, thanks to the ‘Skills Development and Employment Promotion Among Youth in Rwanda (SDEPAY) Project. Under this project, Christine was supported to acquire a five-month vocational skills training in the arts of clothing production at Butamwa TVET School in Nyarugenge District. The mother of one is one of 1,206 youth supported by the project within Nyaruguru, Gatsibo and Bugesera Districts, comprising 884 females and 322 males. “This project provided me with valuable skills that shaped my destiny. I seized this opportunity to join Vocational and Technical Education Training (TVET) school to gain knowledge of clothing production,” “Today, I have hope for a better life. I can cater for all the basic needs, including health insurance, and future saving for my child. I witness that an empowered woman can break down obstacles to plan her own course,” she notes. Christine’s basic vocational skills also enabled her to venture into the shoe-making business. She works in a workshop (Agakiriro), based in Munini, Nyaruguru District, where she makes clothes and shoes, earning her more than Rwf 100,000 per month, as she testifies. The SDEPAY Project is aimed at increasing formal youth employment opportunities, enhancing self-employment capacity, and developing youth employment readiness skills. It is implemented by Akazi Kanoze Access with the support of Plan International Rwanda and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as part of the ‘Vocational Training and Employment’ Initiative under Plan International Germany. Another young woman, Claudine, shared with us the benefits of the project, as she underscored that the carpentry skills she had learned, at Ndago TVET School in Nyaruguru District, significantly changed her life. Reflecting on her history mixed with poverty, Claudine, aged 21, recalls how she dropped out of school and stayed at home to take care of her five siblings. Nevertheless, today, she lives a happy life. “Enrolling in carpentry sharpened me into a self-reliant young woman, and free from any form of sexual exploitation. I have become exceptional in the production of wood products such as chairs, tables, desks, and beds, among other items. I am proud that my business enables me to meet all basic needs for my family,” she points out. Claudine also works in a workshop in Kibeho, and attributes her success to vocational skills that empowered her to break the cycle of poverty. Through the SDEPAY project, a total of 388 youth, including 285 females and 103 males, from Nyaruguru District have received soft skills in Work Ready Now (WRN) and Be Your Own Boss (BYOB). Plan International towards empowering communities in Nyaruguru Plan International Rwanda is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities by addressing critical issues affecting children, particularly girls, across its various development and humanitarian programs, encompassing Early Childhood Development (ECD), Child Protection (CP), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Disaster Risk Management and Resilience (DRMR) in Nyaruguru, Gatsibo and Bugesera Districts. “Plan International Rwanda has a strong commitment to prioritizing the empowerment of vulnerable girls and young women due to the gender dynamics and power relations that confront them in society. This dedication stems from our steadfast belief in gender equality, the realization of rights for all, and our vision for sustainable development, focusing on the socio-economic empowerment and protection of girls and young women who often face heightened risks.” “By investing in girls and young women’s education, skills, and providing them with a safe and supportive environment, we aim to foster a generation of informed, empowered, and self-reliant individuals who can act as catalysts for positive change within their communities, subsequently contributing to the overall progress and resilience of the country,” notes William Mutero, Country Director of Plan International Rwanda. Maureen Murebwayire, the Gender and Family Promotion Officer in Nyaruguru District, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to build an inclusive society. “Building an inclusive society requires collective efforts. We must work together to inspire youth, especially girls and young women, who face many challenges that endanger their futures. Empowering them with knowledge and education is a powerful shield to protect them.” Murebwayire remarks. In addition to the SDEPAY project, other activities implemented towards the empowerment of children in the district, especially girls and young people, include financial support for 50 teen mothers enrolled at Ndago and Kiyonza Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) schools, and equipping them provided them all with start-up kits. 14 Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDs), 4 Girls’ Safe Rooms, and 6 classroom blocks in the 9-year Basic Education (9YBE) program were constructed and 45 girls from Sponsored Child (SC) families received school fees’ support for the academic year 2022-2023. This contributed to the reduction of classrooms’ overcrowding and long journeys that children, especially girls, take to access their schools. 132 bicycles were distributed to village leaders, comprising 123 females and 9 males, with the purpose of implementing the Girls Get Equal (GGE) Campaign, whilst advancing gender equality at the grassroots level. 241 youth, including 181 females and 60 males, were supported to create 13 Village Savings Loan (VSL) groups. Additionally, 210 youth entrepreneurs were provided with technical assistance to improve their businesses, together with their 8 field agents providing crucial assistance support. In line with Comprehensive Education (CSE), more than 500 youth were trained within and out of schools, as an initiative to equip them with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their bodies and reproductive health. 800 families acquired specific agricultural inputs to boost their harvests and livelihoods in a bid to improve their food security and resilience. For shelter improvements, 13 houses were retrofitted and over 200 vulnerable families from sponsorship zones were supported with construction materials (iron sheets, nails, doors and windows) to enhance the living conditions and ensure that their houses are strong, protected in terms of disaster readiness. *Only first names are written to protect identity*
