Teen mothers and young men receive equipment and livestock from KWIGIRA center, express their Gratitude
On February 10, 2025, a total of 472 beneficiaries of the KWIGIRA Community Outreach Center, including 236 teenage mothers and their children, gathered for a community event filled with celebration, shared meals, and the distribution of essential resources. The occasion saw the awarding of equipment to those who completed their training in 2024, the provision of livestock to support youth employment, and the construction of homes for families living in dilapidated conditions.
Among the beneficiaries, 46 graduates from the 2024 training program received sewing machines to help them establish sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, 20 individuals were given sheep to support their financial independence through livestock farming and organic fertilizer production.
Furthermore, 15 unemployed young men were each provided with bicycles to create income opportunities, shielding them from idleness and the risks of engaging in crime or alcoholism. Five cows were awarded to top-performing young mothers, and 13 families were promised newly constructed homes to improve their living conditions.
Nigena Diane and Uwitonze Delphine, two of the recipients of sewing machines and livestock, expressed deep gratitude for the support they received and pledged to use the resources wisely.
Diane stated, “I am truly happy to receive this sewing machine. It will enable me to work, earn a living, take care of my child, and pay for his health insurance and education. It also ensures I stay engaged in productive work, protecting me from idleness that could lead me back into the same temptations that resulted in my early pregnancy.”
Uwitonze Delphine echoed her sentiments, “Receiving this equipment and livestock is a chance to lift ourselves out of poverty. We must understand the true purpose behind this support—to uplift us—and we should never sell or misuse these resources. Those who gave them to us want to see us thrive, free from poverty, and raising children with a promising future.”
Twagirayezu Jean Paul and Izabayo James, two of the young men who received bicycles, shared their excitement about how this opportunity would transform their lives. They plan to use their bicycles for commercial transportation, ensuring a steady income—an improvement from their previous struggles with unemployment, which left them vulnerable to delinquency. They revealed their ambition to form cooperatives with other bicycle taxi operators, professionalizing their work and establishing daily savings practices. “Our goal is to work hard, maximize this opportunity, and build stable, independent lives,” they affirmed.
Irakoze Umutoni Sandra, the Executive Secretary of Kampanga Cell, where the KWIGIRA Center is located, represented the Executive Secretary of Kinigi Sector at the event.She emphasized how KWIGIRA’s initiatives align with government efforts to enhance governance, economic growth, and social well-being. “We deeply appreciate KWIGIRA Community Outreach Center for its vital contributions to our youth and society as a whole. As leaders, such partnerships make our work easier because they provide young people with opportunities that prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors. Instead, they become productive members of society, earning an income and securing a better future.”
She also urged the young mothers to learn from their past experiences and avoid unplanned pregnancies, stressing that the support they receive is an opportunity for personal growth and not a reward for past mistakes.
Ellyn Hennecke, Co-Founder of KWIGIRA, expressed her satisfaction with the impact the center is making in transforming young lives. “Since my youth, I have always wanted to support young people, especially girls. My motivation stemmed from observing the relationship between my parents. Additionally, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi devastated Rwanda’s economy and the future of many young people. That’s why we focus on equipping them with skills, education, and resources to break cycles of isolation and unemployment.”
She further emphasized, “Motherhood is a natural aspect of life, but unplanned pregnancies should be prevented, along with the stigma surrounding young mothers. We plan to expand this center to reach even more youth because I have a deep love for Rwanda and its people.”
The event was attended by parents, local authorities, security officials,including the military and police—as well as the young men selected to receive bicycles.
It was a day of celebration, featuring traditional and modern dance performances, artistic displays by KWIGIRA beneficiaries through their choir, and heartfelt testimonies from those whose lives have changed due to the center’s support.
Many shared how KWIGIRA’s assistance restored their dignity and helped them reintegrate into families that had previously shunned them.
