Kigali: Jérémie Havugimana, 28, from Rusizi District, repatriated with his family from DR Congo in 2010. His family has been earning its survival from government support for vulnerable people. Havugimana, at his young age, has been regretting that he has no income generating job to support his family.
His hope was rejuvenated when he received business start-up kits after completing a six-month skills training in shoe making.
“I am now going to be self-employed and self-reliant. I will not be asking for support from government, such support could go to others who need it,” proudly said Huvugimana.
“The skills I have acquired in shoemaking will enable me to make leather shoes that I can sell at 20, 000 rwf, a pair.”
Havugimana shares his hope with Nyiransengimana Consolee who also completed skills training in Wielding.
“Previously, I couldn’t even earn 5000 Rwf per month. But today I have enough opportunities to make money. I can make doors, windows, cooking stoves, and I frequently get jobs at construction sites to make metallic roofs for decent houses.” Testified Nyiransengimana.
Havugimana and Nyiransengimana were among 782 people comprising mostly returnees and some vulnerable residents, who graduated and received business start-up kits in a ceremony held in Karongi District on June 26, 2015 after completing a six-month hands-on skills training.
The beneficiaries graduated in various fields including tailoring (386), mechanics (36), welding (117), hairdressing (77), knitting (18) and shoemaking and photography (21).
The vocational training was one component of the Sustainable Return and Reintegration Program jointly implemented by the Government of Rwanda and One-UN with the International Organization for migration (IOM) as a direct implementing partner for vocational skills training.
At the occasion of handing over certificates and business start-up kits, Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Mukantabana Seraphine reiterated the commitment of the government of Rwanda to facilitate repatriation of Rwanda refugees and support their reintegration.
“The repatriation and reintegration of Rwandan refugees’ remains among the top priorities of the government of Rwanda. We are committed to facilitate repatriation of Rwandans still in exile and will continue to invest required means to reintegrate all returnees” stressed Minister Mukantabana.
The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (Rwanda), Catherine Northing, said this organization will continue to support the government of Rwanda to create opportunities to enhance economic reintegration of vulnerable returnees.
“It is an exciting opportunity for the beneficiaries because it supports them to become economically independent,” Northing said.
For the last two years, the Sustainable return and reintegration Project covered 10 districts namely: Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Ngororero, Bugesera, Nyamagabe and Musanze.
In addition to vocational skills training, this project, also assist returnees and other vulnerable people in other aspects such as shelter, health, education, agriculture and in good governance.
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