When Esther Mushimiyimana gave birth at a young age, her future suddenly seemed uncertain. With her family unable to provide the support she needed, the teenage mother struggled to see a way forward.

Her dream of building an independent life appeared increasingly distant until an opportunity from Our Sisters’ Opportunity (OSO) gave her a second chance.

On August 6, Mushimiyimana was among young women and teenage mothers who graduated from OSO’s fifth graduation ceremony after completing a training programme aimed at equipping vulnerable young women with practical skills for economic independence.

The ceremony, held in Gakenke District, brought together graduates, parents, Mastercard Foundation representatives, officials and development partners, including Mayor Vestine Mukandayisenga, France’s Ambassador to Rwanda Aurélie Royet-Gounin, representative of the Rwanda TVET Board, security organs and other partners.

For Mushimiyimana as well as other students, the graduation was more than a ceremony; it was a reminder that an interrupted journey does not necessarily have to be an ended one.

On behalf of other students, she commended efforts to expand access to skills and support for vulnerable young women, saying such programmes had given them a chance to rebuild their lives.

"The training we received here is going to help us compete in the market, and I am ready to make changes,” she said.

The young graduate said OSO had filled a gap that had once left her feeling lost.

"We deeply thank OSO. They played a parental role for us. We're now certified fashion designers and soap makers and we cannot wait to see what we can bring to the market,” she said.

Mushimiyimana’s story is one of many examples of how OSO is helping vulnerable young women turn difficult circumstances into economic opportunities. Founded in 2019, the organisation provides vocational and entrepreneurship training, mentorship and personal development support to help young women build sustainable livelihoods.

Our Sisters’ Opportunity training is delivered through a one-year accredited programme at OSO’s Creative Design Academy, where students receive technical and practical instruction alongside entrepreneurship and personal development support.

Turning skills into livelihoods

For some graduates, the training has already moved beyond the classroom and into the marketplace.

Alice Nkundabera, an OSO alumna and founder of Alisha Fashion House, graduated from the organisation’s second cohort after completing a one-year course in tailoring and fashion design.

The skills she acquired helped her establish her own fashion business, which she says is steadily gaining ground.

"We haven’t yet made it a brand, but we’re almost there. I receive tenders to make school uniforms as well as women’s and children’s collections,” Nkundabera said.

Beyond running her business, Nkundabera has also used her skills to support young women including job creation to 6 youth, teaching community members, providing internship opportunities, paying Mutuelle de Sante to vulnerable families and more.

"We also support teenage mothers, including through therapy and counselling, because we are certified therapists. We work hand in hand with authorities to support them beyond our level,” she said.

The organisation says many of its alumni have gone on to establish businesses, create employment and contribute to their communities.

At the graduation ceremony, Djamilla Uwitonze Shaban was recognised as the graduate with the best business project, followed by Victoria Muthoni in second place and Gloriose Utuje in third.

The awards recognised graduates who showed strong potential to turn their newly acquired skills into sustainable businesses.

A model built around second chances

Delphine Uwamahoro, founder of OSO, said the progress made by graduates shows how practical skills and access to opportunity can transform the lives and prospects of young women.

Uwamahoro founded OSO in 2019, bringing together her passion for fashion and community development after a career of more than a decade leading international health and development organisations in Rwanda.

Her experience with the transformative power of education and opportunity inspired her to create pathways for young women in rural Rwanda to achieve economic independence.

She had also nurtured a passion for fashion and, in 2019, won the Made in Rwanda Best Designer of the Year award.

Today, Uwamahoro says, some of the women who passed through OSO are creating opportunities for others.

"We’re seeing changes. It’s vivid and encouraging. Most of them have initiated their own ventures and employed many who did not get the opportunity to go to school,” Uwamahoro said.

"OSO was established to offer skills and sustainable work, mainly to uplift young women whose education was cut short. Instead of remaining without opportunities, they go through training and now they are graduating.”

The organisation says the challenges facing vulnerable young women often extend beyond a lack of income, with limited education, skills and access to economic opportunities reinforcing one another.

Our Sisters’ Opportunity approach therefore combines vocational training with entrepreneurship and personal development to help graduates pursue employment or self-employment.

Speaking at the event, Gakenke District Mayor Vestine Mukandayisenga said the district promotes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a means of creating local employment opportunities and fostering youth self-reliance.

"Partners such as Our Sisters’ Opportunity contribute to the district’s target of creating more than 6,500 jobs annually,” she said.

She encouraged the graduates to make good use of the skills they had acquired and take advantage of other business development services established by the government and its partners.

Skills for a changing labour market

Eugène Uwimana, TVET Skills Development Manager at the Rwanda TVET Board, noted that programmes such as OSO’s can play an important role in helping young people transition into employment and entrepreneurship.

"We are very sure that these graduates have acquired competencies that will help them in the market,” Uwimana said.

He added that vocational training is aligned with the government’s efforts to address youth unemployment by equipping young people with practical and marketable skills.

According to Rwanda TVET Board data cited at the event, 84 per cent of vocational training graduates secure employment, while 13 per cent go on to start their own businesses.

Partnerships behind the opportunity

The programme has benefited from support from a network of partners, including the Ministry of Education, the French Embassy in Rwanda, the Mastercard Foundation, parents and other well-wishers.

French Ambassador to Rwanda Aurélie Royet-Gounin said France supports efforts to transform education and skills development and would continue contributing where possible.

"The French Embassy in Rwanda supports you greatly through donations and our partners, including the Mastercard Foundation, the government and well-wishers. We are also trying to do our part, and it is encouraging,” she said.

Celebrating OSO people and partners

Uwamahoro, founder of OSO, thanked the OSO team, graduates, parents, government officials and development partners for their invaluable support in making the program a success.

She said the support has helped expand access to vocational training for young women who might otherwise have limited opportunities to acquire practical skills, gain economic independence and build sustainable livelihoods.

For more information contact OSO at info@oursistersopportunity.org or 250 788 600 050