By Kayitare Jean Bosco
100 teen mothers graduated in Vocational Training skills in tailoring. The event took place in Kamabuye Sector, Bugesera district on 28th January, 2020.
The graduation ceremony was part of Plan International Rwanda’s purpose to influence and advance children and girls rights in a society. It was also a response to teenage pregnancy of girls in Bugesera District. The ceremony also coincided with the official opening of 1 primary school and one Early Childhood Development (ECD) center Bugesera.
In his address the Mayor of Bugesera district, MUTABAZI Richard; “We thank Plan International for it’s support in giving a life to the teen mothers who have just graduated in tailoring. I appeal to teen mothers to utilize well the knowledge you have acquired and make better use of it. I also want you to share information about the people who pregnant minors and stop the culture of not reporting on time about the crimes so that justice can be served.”
“We thank Plan International and all the stakeholders and we pledge our continued support in empowering and giving value and knowledge to the teen mothers and youth in general as Bugesera district” the Mayor said.
Dr. Jean Lambert Sebarezi, the Head of Program, Plan International says; “we have inaugurated seven classrooms at a cost of 93 million in partnership with Bugesera district. The 100 girls who graduated have been also equipped with materials for tailoring worth 40 million which includes the training and basic materials for production.”
Niyonsaba Grace, a 17 year old teen mother says; “am one of the beneficiaries of vocational training which was funded by Plan International. I learnt tailoring skills and we have free machines for sewing at this center. Since I started I have been able to take care of myself. My parents abandoned me the time I got pregnant, after then I lived a miserable life for some time.”
“I thank the government and partner Plan International for supporting me through my journey, since I started tailoring I have managed to buy three chickens and one goat all out of what I do in a honest manner without me getting involved in prostitution or in drug abuse. I can take care of my child.” Niyonsaba Grace said.
By 2019 they were 559 girls with unwanted pregnancies were girls of age under 18, and the culprits apprehended were 100 and 50 of them were found guilty.
