A group of 91 women and young mothers from Munyaga Sector, Rwamagana District successfully completed the 12 months integrated program.
WfW-Rwanda has, since its inception, socially and economically empowered vulnerable women; to contribute to raising them out of poverty and creating improved livelihoods for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Every year, hundreds of teen mothers and women aged 18 and above years are enrolled in the WfW-Rwanda 12 months signature program; through which they receive capacity building in social skills (i.e. health and wellness, gender-based violence prevention, women’s leadership, communication, and advocacy; amongst many others) that enable them to live healthier lives and navigate through social life more confidently; as well as empowering them economically independent through the provision of business skills, vocational training, and monthly stipends to enable them to generate income..
This year on the 23rd of August 2022, a group of 91 women and young mothers from Munyaga Sector, Rwamagana District successfully completed the 12 months integrated program. These women were enrolled in the WfW-Rwanda program since September 2021 and have now graduated.
In her opening remark during the graduation ceremony, the representative of the Munyaga sector welcomed the participants and other invited guests. She thanked Women for Women Rwanda for choosing the Munyaga sector among others, and providing the teen mothers with socioeconomic skills, she as well thanked the graduates for having attended consistently the courses while the other 9 dropped out. She argued the graduates to practice what they have learned for the development of their homes in particular and the sector in general.
To peak the impact of Women for Women Rwanda on these teen mothers, the Munyaga graduates entertained guests, by roleplaying their behavior before joining WfW-Rwanda's programs. Girls when are young, most men especially those with activities that link them with young girls like small shops, Grocery stores, moto-taxis, and other beauty product sellers try to corrupt their minds by giving them gifts, lifts, and little money. But after they become pregnant, men immediately deny their responsibility; at home, parents do not tolerate the fact that girls sent to school come back while pregnant. they ended their roleplay with the part that shows how WfW-Rwanda enrolled them and that was the beginning of their new journey.
Cenderi Joyce, 25 years old- teen mother, a resident of Gishike village, Kaduha cell, Munyaga sector, is one of the Women for Women Rwanda graduates; she thanked the Organisation for giving her back hope in life. She gave her testimony on her life before joining WfW-Rwanda’s program and how her life has changed so far.
“After I gave birth at a young age, I felt alone, lost, desperate, and without hope for my future leave alone the future of my child. I did not even want to talk to others, but after being approached by WfW-Rwanda my life has completely changed,” said Cenderi Joyce
“I will do my best to continue to produce the soaps as I was taught by WfW-Rwanda, with the objective of distributing them in each house of my community, and if by chance I have the opportunity to have a bank loan my mission is to install a cottage industry that produces quality soaps” she added.
Dr. Alida furaha, one of the Women for Women Rwanda’s board members in her remark, thanked the Rwamagana district’s partnership with WfW-Rwanda and argued the graduates to grab this opportunity by practicing what they have learned.
"This will help your own development in particular and the country in general, teaching one woman is teaching the entire nation," said Alida
Mukarugira Kamanzi Beata, JADF (Joint Activity Development Forum) Officer of Rwamagana district, in her closing remark, thanked WfW-Rwanda by appreciating the partnership, and she thanked the graduates for participating in the WfW-Rwanda. She acknowledged that these young mothers will play a huge role in developing the district.
“Young girls, I promise you, whoever needs to resume school, please come and see me at the office, I will link you with sponsors or partners of Rwamagana district,” said Kamanzi Beata.
Before the closing of the graduation event, Officials along with parents visited the exhibition site to witness the capacity of graduates in soap, leather, and shoe making.
All 91 graduate young mothers received their certificates and closed the event with a song “WARAKOZE WOMEN FOR WOMEN” which literally means you have done a lot Women for Women.