MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT have pledged to support youth centres across the country and help them mobilise support to respond to emerging challenges. The pledge was made on Monday by members of the Rwanda Parliamentarian Network on Population and Development (RPRPD) during a day-long field visit to the Huye Youth-Friendly Centre. The visit aimed at getting the MPs conversant with the centre’s activities as well as interact with the youth. Speaking after the visit, MP Innocent Kayitare said the centre is playing an important role in the development and improvement of the lives of the youth. However, he cited lack of enough resources and personnel as some of the challenges facing the operation of the facility. He promised to advocate for more support to further improve the lives of the youth. “It is clear that the youth here are learning and benefit a lot. We want the government to support this centre to make it more successful,” the parliamentarian said. The centre has only two permanent staff, down from 11 it had a few years ago. The number was cut down due to lack of funding after the centre’s initial funders, the Population Services International (PSI)-Rwanda, closed shop. The centre offers lessons on reproductive health, voluntary testing and counselling on HIV/Aids, several sports and leisure activities as well as training in vocational skills such as tailoring and hairdressing. Huye District mayor Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka said they will continue to work closely with the youth centre to ensure it continues to grow and improve on its services. There are about eight youth friendly centres spread across the country but the government is targeting to increase the number to 20 in the coming years.
