KAYONZA- A Japanese funded project, Thursday, donated start-up kits to 100 students who graduated from vocational schools in Kayonza District.

The items were handed over by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR), meant to facilitate socio-economic reintegration of returnees and other vulnerable groups.

Didacus Obunga, IOM country representative, said that the project will soon extend to more districts.

"Youth from over 3,005 families in the Province have been supported in life skills training opportunities...we hope to see the beneficiaries in active production after getting the skills and start-up kits,” Obunga said.

Jean Claude Rwahama, from MIDIMAR, reiterated the need to take care of the welfare of returnees and the most vulnerable people in society.

He thanked IOM for their relentless support to reintegrate refugees in the country.

He told the youth to advise Rwandans still living in self imposed exile, to return contribute towards development of their country.

"The ministry has been offering support of different kinds to those in urgent need...the vocational skills will help communities to live a meaningful life,” he said.

"There is no point in keeping in exile with the kind of hospitable environment in Rwanda today.”

Soteri Seyanga, one of the beneficiaries said that the skills backed by the start-up kits would make them more productive in communities.

"We are no longer going to be jobless, redundant and trouble causers,” he said.
stephen.rwembeho@newtimes.co.rw