Rotary Club of Kigali Empowers Rwamagana Youth Through Tailoring Skills

On Sunday, July 20, 2025, members of the club visited 54 young trainees, including seven boys, who are undergoing professional tailoring training in Musha Sector. The program, run in partnership with the REAP project, targets vulnerable youth, many of whom come from families facing poverty or domestic instability.

Rachel Uwimpuhwe, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the club stepped in to help them despite not knowing them personally.

“We’re learning skills that will help us support ourselves and uplift our families,” she said.

Yves Niyonkuru, a trainee from Rukombe Village in Kabare Cell, said he hopes to lift his family out of poverty through tailoring.

“I joined because my family was struggling. Learning tailoring is a chance for me to become financially independent and, eventually, to create jobs and support others,” he said.

Srinivas Cheruvu, president of the Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, said the initiative aligns with the club’s mission of promoting social impact and long-term change.

“Rotary exists to bring transformation to communities. By empowering youth, we are helping build a stronger nation,” he said.

Musha Sector Executive Secretary Jean Claude Rwagasana thanked the club for its role in advancing youth development. He said the program offers a lifeline to young people, including teenage mothers and those from disadvantaged households.

“These are youth who previously lacked hope,” he said. “Now they are gaining skills and confidence. Some are already earning from small tailoring jobs.”

The Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan was established in 2024 and has since prioritized youth empowerment. In addition to skills training, the program offers mental health support to help participants cope with the challenges they face at home.