Police in Kayonza District has engaged former street children and introduced them to the concept of crime prevention and community policing. The youngsters are currently undergoing civic education and vocational training at Rukara Transit Centre. The centre hosts about 100 children who are drawn from streets. Speaking to the youth yesterday, Inspector of Police (IP) Eraste Niyibizi, the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) of Kayonza urged them to focus on the curriculum at the centre and leave the past life behind focusing on a bright future. “When you leave here be agents of change, don’t go back on streets and be responsible partners, identify, fight and prevent crimes through information sharing,” he said. “The values you will learn from here should be your guiding tool to a new focused life free from anything unlawful partner with communities and security organs to ensure safer societies,” IP Niyibizi added. Majority of the youth at the centre were drug abusers. IP Niyibizi reminded them what they were doing was a crime, but added that the bad experience they got should be used to educate other youth on the dangers of drug abuse. He urged them to respect their tutors, adding that through respect, discipline and eagerness to learn will make them better persons again, who will use the acquired vocational skills to create their own jobs and improve the standards of their well-being. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
