Africa-Press – Rwanda. FXB Rwanda, a nongovernmental organisation focused on the improvement of the lives of vulnerable children and families, on Friday, April 5, concluded a training of adolescent and young women on how to lead healthy lives free of HIV/AIDS.
The three-day training held in Nyanza and Rwamagana districts under the theme “Youth, AIDS-free future is your pride,” was attended by 200 adolescent girls and young women supported by FXB Rwanda’s DREAMS project, sponsored by USAID.
The boot camp which has been held during school holidays since 2018, provides an opportunity for 200 participants to meet with women leaders and get tips on how to build self-confidence, leadership skills, how to be responsible for a successful future, as well as how to become agents of positive change in their communities.
“This camp had two main objectives,” explained Nadine Mujawamariya, the Deputy Chief of Party of the DREAMS project. “First, our project aims at the prevention of new HIV infections. Today, we have an issue of teenage pregnancies, meaning they had unprotected sex which exposes them to other sexually transmitted diseases. So, want the adolescent girls, who will complete their secondary school studies soon, to be vigilant about temptations they may face after school.”
Second, Mujawamariya said, the projects seeks to build self-confidence in girls and young women so that they can be able to lead their lives responsibly. “If you cannot be responsible for your life, you cannot be able to lead other people in society.”
The DREAMS project began in 2018. Through the project, more than 13,000 girls have been supported with school fees. Another 1,000 girls are supported to get vocational training course. If some of them cannot go back to school or get vocational training, they are supported to start small income generating businesses.
“We appreciate FXB Rwanda’s support to our programmes in Rwamagana, especially with this camp during which they engaged adolescent girls and young women on their reproductive health, patriotism and leadership as well as taking care of their families,” said Jeanne Umutoni, the Rwagana District Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs.
“We hope that the 100 girls who attended this camp will be able to share the knowledge they got from here. More girls and young women need this important information about what they can do to improve their lives, and how they can take tap into the opportunities available in the country.”
Beneficiaries of the DREAMS project testified to the improvement in their lives, thanks to FXB Rwanda’s support.
“I have gained a lot of knowledge from this camp, especially about how to build self-confidence and be able to pursue what can improve my life,” said Alice Nyirabikamiro, an 18-year-old secondary school finalist at Groupe Scolaire Nyagasambu in Rwamagana.
“I have understood the difference I can make if I resist temptations that adolescent girls face. I can focus on my success and with time I know I will be able to buy what I need in life when I am older. When I get back home, I will share the same knowledge with my peers. I want to help change my life as well as that of my peers.”
For Solange Uwimanimpaye, a senior six student at Ecole Secondaire Rukomo in Nyagatare District supported by FXB Rwanda since 2020, the support she got through the DREAMS project prevented her from dropping out of school at an early age.
“They started to pay my school fees in senior three and now I am a candidate for the senior six national exams,” said Uwimanimpaye.
“I am very grateful for the support that made me stay in school when dropping out was the option. In addition to that, I benefit from these camps that inspire us to remain on the right track. For instance, they’ve explained to us how drug abuse affects a person’s brain, and how a girl who abuses drugs is likely to be sexually abused and get pregnant,” she said.
All that is necessary information for her, she said, noting that she will proudly share it with her agemates back in the village and school.
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