Over 1900 former street children, drug addicts graduate with vocational skills at Iwawa

At Iwawa, youth acquired different skills including masonry, carpentry, tailoring, agriculture and veterinary among others.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Saturday, the Director General of National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), Aimé Bosenibamwe urged the youth to use acquired skills in developing themselves through working in cooperatives.

“There is a programme to receive those who graduate from here in districts; different officials are working to welcome you and will direct you in projects to establish, as a way to reintegrate you in the society, NRS in partnership with local government authorities will facilitate you in establishing associations and cooperatives through which you will perform income generating activities,” he explained.

After a year of being trained, the youth say that they acquired skills that will help them in future.

“I learnt masonry skills from here which will help me towards development. I abandoned drugs and will encourage former peers to abandon such vices,” said Jean Paul Gacamumakuba from Kicukiro District.

Cesalie Nyirantagorana, a parent whose child was rehabilitated, hailed the programme saying it was not possible for parents themselves to change the behaviors children had developed.

The cohort of 1,974 graduate is the 15th edition at Iwawa. Since the centre was established in 2010, over 15,000 have graduated from there.

A total of 1974 youth comprising of former street children and drug addicts have graduated with various practical skills from Iwawa Rehabilitation Centre in Rutsiro District and awarded certificates of completion.
Director General of National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), Aimé Bosenibamwe urged the youth to use acquired skills in developing themselves through working in cooperatives.
Cesalie Nyirantagorana, a parent whose child was rehabilitated, hailed the programme saying it was not possible for parents themselves to change the behaviors children had developed.

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