This project was set up in 2004. Katherine Farquarson from South Africa spent about two years in Shyogwe Diocese and helped to set up this project. In 2005 Lisa Voigt from Germany carried on her work for 9 months helping Angelique Uwumuremyi who is now the Director of this project. Angelique is the wife of the Diocesan Development officer, John Wesley Kabango. She is also Mothers' Union Vice-President and MU worker while the full time worker Emilienne Akimpaye is in training in Uganda. The project which now operates under the umbrella of the Mothers' Union trains 61 young people selected as children at risk within the Parish of Gitarama.
The aims of the project are to provide training in skills which will enable the young people to form co-operatives working together in order to support themselves by their own efforts.
Collectively these young people learn sewing, dressmaking, craft skills, carpentry, metal work, car mechanics and agricultural skills including animal husbandry. Trainers are employed to teach these skills.
Individually some of the young people have special talents which are developed by paying their school fees at Technical Colleges and Schools. This enables the project to help all of the young people at risk.
The young people are also taught about the church and Christian beliefs through bible teaching. They are made aware of the dangers of HIV/Aids and taught nutrition and health care. Those who need literacy training are given this within the Parish of Gitarama and at the sector office at Musumba.
1. Sewing.
Girls are taught how to maintain and use sewing machines. They make school uniforms for themselves and also some boys and girls uniforms for sale. The Director searches for opportunities to sell the finished uniforms and buys new materials with the proceeds. This is a 2 year course.
2. Banana leaf cards
These are made for sale locally and also in Europe, USA and Canada. Designs are chosen for the Christmas market and also to depict Rwandan culture.
3. Welding and Metalwork
Making small charcoal burning cooking stoves, candle holders, window frames. This is a one year course.
4. Joinery
Boys are making mostly furniture. Stools, chairs, benches and tables.
This is also a one year course.
5. Agriculture
All of the young people are taught small scale agriculture including how to avoid soil erosion, how to grow the most nutritious vegetables and also how to grow some of the more profitable crops. Additionally they are given training in small animal husbandry rearing chickens, goats, rabbits and pigs. They also learn the importance of manure and compost in maintaining soil fertility.
Some animals are reared and given to the trainees to keep at their own homes.
Emmanuel Munganyimfura is the resident Agriculturist.
6. Car Mechanics
The students are taught in garages within Gitarama helped by the Social Bureau which pays the fees of the trainers. This is a six month course followed by three months work experience.
7. Religious education, literacy, and awareness of HIV/Aids
All of the young people receive this training as an important part of their training. The objectives of the project are to form healthy minds in healthy bodies.
Salaries of the main trainers are paid by the project and are supported mainly by David Dale Shyogwe Trust and Shyogwe Mothers' Union. Our future aim is to provide the students with tools and materials when they begin to work in their co-operatives at the conclusion of their training.
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