Refugees get life skills

KARONGI -  Scores of Congolese refugees at Kiziba refugee camp in Karongi District yesterday completed two-week training in designing clothes.

Saturday, August 08, 2009
A participant receives a certificate of merit from UNHCR National Health Coordinator Dr Augustin Gatera (Photo S Nkurunziza)

KARONGI -  Scores of Congolese refugees at Kiziba refugee camp in Karongi District yesterday completed two-week training in designing clothes.

The training was facilitated by the Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) and funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It targeted people living with HIV virus-to equip them with life skills to engage in income generating projects.

It is part of the wide campaign aimed at making life in the camps better.

Cyriaque Niyigaba, the HIV/Aids assistant coordinator, said that the training was in line with the policy of the National Aids Control Commission (CNLS), to reduce stigma against HIV positive individuals.

"All these activities are aimed at reducing the stigma against HIV/Aids individuals and improve their lives through enhancing economic independence,” he said.

Ingabire Dusabe, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, promised to put into practice the newly acquired skills in order to improve their lives.

"We shall use these skills to make money and improve the standards of our lives. We request that the trainers stay in close touch so that we can also learn even more from them,” Ingabire said.

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