EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — Nsinda Vocational School has returned hope to two vulnerable children by awarding them scholarships to study vocational skills this academic year. Samuel Mudenge 16 and Joseline Musanabera 25, who had reportedly lost all hopes for further education, were all smiles on learning that they had got scholarships as schools opened on Monday. Mudenge was selected from many disadvantaged pupils with assistance of the School authorities and area police authorities while AVEGA workers participated in the selection of the girl –Musanabera. After the awards, the district director of education, Daniel Karinganire, hailed the School administration, calling on other schools in the area to emulate Nsinda. The school director, Innocent Hodali Biraboneye, later told the New Times in a separate interview that they were determined to provide vocational education to Rwandan children, though they face a challenge of relying on overseas aid. The program to offer scholarships would continue to reach many as long as we have capacity to do so; in fact the number of students who are likely to get scholarships will be determined by our capacity, said Biraboneye. He noted that vocational training offered a great opportunity to the youths to reduce incidents of crimes and or begging on the street. He observed that many youths were willing to go back to school if given chance. He said children often take to the streets not by choice but because of unavoidable circumstances. Biraboneye called for continued cooperation of parents and well-wishers for the sustainability of the program. Mudenge could not hide the pleasure saying, It is my great pleasure to have this chance of returning to school among the many children out there. I promise to utilize this chance in order to be a productive citizen for my country in future. Built under the auspices of Children’s Care and Protection in Rwanda (CCPRWA) in 1998, Nsinda Vocational School has grown into a centre instrumental in providing training to youths in the Province especially school dropouts who were unable to access mainstream government education. Ends
