Over 50 women have completed a six-month culinary arts training programme run by Akilah Institute in partnership with Women for Women International.The training that focused on Kitchen and Food Safety, hygiene and communication was conducted by chefs from Mille Collines and Bourbon Coffee with help from celebrated American chef, Victor Matthews. The 53 women were trained with the view of being integrated into the tourism sector.According to Mary Patton Davis, the Communications and Marketing Associate at Akilah Institute for Women, the women will be able to earn an income through their acquired skills.“Our target was the vulnerable unemployed women who earn less than $1 a day and equip them with technical skills to help them move into Rwanda’s growing tourism sector.” She said their next step was to help them find jobs within the tourism and hospitality industry.“I used to sell cooked beans from my house before I enrolled for this programme. I would earn about Rwf 1,500 a day which couldn’t really help me meet all my needs. With these cooking skills, I hope to prepare more than beans, get a job in a big restaurant and a better income,” one trainee said.The trainee has three children and her husband is a casual labourer at construction sites. She said, it was very difficult for her to help provide for her family but that things were destined to change for the better.
