World Vision Rwanda, on Thursday handed over a Vocational Training Centre it constructed in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province.Located in Kibeho Sector, the school with the capacity to accommodate 500 students was funded by Huron Hills Church and Moriah in the US, at a cost of US $519,000 (Rwf 315,489,720). The land was provided by the district.George Gitau, World Vision Rwanda Country Director, said his organisation is committed to working with the government in implementing development programmes, especially those that aim at supporting vulnerable families to fight poverty.“I am convinced that vocational skills are not only important to the young generation, but for adults too or every member of the society,” Gitau said.He called on residents, not only in Nyarugu District, but also in the neighbourhood, to make good use of the school, urging that it will enable them to acquire professional skills and competitiveness on the labour market in various fields. The school will offer a wide range of courses, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, leather technology, ICT and entrepreneurship skills.“This is also an opportunity for women groups in building on your skills in various areas to get empowered and contribute towards national development,” he said.The Governor of the Western Province, Alphonse Munyantwali, commended World Vision, saying the NGO has supported various projects and activities in the district all aimed at improving living conditions of the population.“This is a great step towards making the government’s initiative of promoting vocational training education to enable the education sector produce more job makers than seekers,” Munyantwali said. He noted that the system is the most effective step taken in fighting the rate at which unemployment can easily eat up developing economies.Residents who spoke to The New Times were hopeful the school will help their children have life skills.“For years now, it has been a big challenge for our children to get a chance of acquiring vocational skills since there are no schools nearby that offer such courses,” said Allen Uwamahoro, a mother to four and resident of Kibeho Sector.
