Huye District Set to Eradicate Youth Unemployment and Street Child Crisis Through Vocational Trainings.

Through targeted vocational education and social reintegration programs, the district is transforming the lives of hundreds of vulnerable youth, equipping them with professional skills to compete in the modern labor market.

Tackling Social Challenges

For years, Huye District has grappled with the issue of street children and school dropouts facing extreme poverty. These conditions often led to rising cases of theft, drug abuse, and teenage pregnancies. According to district reports, 463 individuals have already been rescued from these environments and enrolled in educational programs.

Kankesha Annonciatha, the Huye District Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, lauded the impact of the ADPE organization in this transition.
"Over 60% of our population is comprised of youth. ADPE’s initiative to establish a vocational school is a landmark achievement that provides direct solutions to the socio-economic challenges we face," she stated during a recent graduation ceremony.

Professionalism and Integrity

The Vice Mayor urged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. She warned that dishonesty and lack of integrity are major barriers to career growth, noting that public trust is the foundation of any successful business.

Voices of Transformation

The beneficiaries, many of whom previously struggled to find even casual labor,expressed a newfound sense of hope.
"Before joining ETP, earning a living was a daily struggle," said Burumbuke Jean Damascene, one of the graduates. "Now, with these technical skills, we are entering the market ready to work and earn independently."

The graduates, certified by the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), specialized in fields including:

·         Tailoring and Fashion (predominantly women)

·         Construction and Masonry

·         Electronics and Mechanics

Looking Ahead

Niyibizi Emmanuel, the head of ADPE, confirmed that the organization will continue to monitor the graduates' progress and provide them with the necessary tools to start their businesses. Expansion plans are also underway at the ETP vocational center to include courses in audio-visual production, electrical engineering, and music.

The district leader concluded by calling for an end to gender stereotypes in the workplace, encouraging both men and women to embrace all vocational crafts as equal paths to prosperity.

Currently, the ETP school offers courses in tailoring, construction, and electronics repair. ADPE plans to expand its curriculum to include Audio and Video production (Videography), Electrical works, and Music.

Among the 463 graduates certified by the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), the majority—primarily women—studied tailoring. The event concluded with a call to everyone to reject the misconception that certain jobs are reserved for specific genders or groups, encouraging all to value every professional craft as the same.

By Eloi Isengwe