Workforce development program
MARCEGAGLIA TVET SCHOOL
Recently, the government’s increasing focus to improving access and quality of basic education has resulted in a large increase of enrollment rates of young students across the country. Past progress has allowed the government to expand its focus to post-basic education and training (PBET). This is not to say that the government’s agenda in basic education is complete, and improving the quality will require continuing attention in the short- to medium term. Nonetheless, the expansion of the government’s focus to include PBET is justified for two main reasons.
First, demand for post-basic education is on the rise, as increasing numbers of pupils complete basic education and want to continue learning before entering the work world.
Second, the post basic education skill base of the country’s labor force must be upgraded if Rwanda is to maintain strong growth performance and reach its ambitious economic goals and SDGs.
In order for post basic education and training to be a strong contributor to Rwanda’s continuous economic development, it needs to provide access to a growing and increasingly diversified student body.
In the 2019-2020 action plan, we initiated a local pilot tailoring school with 30 students. Through this pilot program FMO realized that it would be beneficial to increase the variety of skills being taught. From past years, FMO has been allocating a part of its annual budget to enroll PBET students from Bugesera District to pursue Technical and Vocational Education Training certificates nationwide. 148 scholars have been supported through this program and have done different trades such as hospitality management, automobile mechanics, hair dressing, tailoring, carpentry, domestic electrical installation, plumbing etc.
FMO therefore targets to construct a TVET Center in Bugesera district in the Rilima sector with six trades: plumbing, domestic electricity, welding, hairdressing, tailoring and masonry.
In addition brilliant students with University admissions will be supported to pursue university degrees (these are nurses, hospitality management etc).
Marcegaglia Career Development Center
- Specialized professional Training and internship
- Scholarships micro credit(Access to capital) and tool kits
Girinka- One Cow
- As of May 2016, 36 cows were given out to deserving families in Rilima. Cow houses and water tanks were built to house and feed them.
- Cows are a valuable asset to families as they provide income through their milk, their manure is good fertilizer, and their calves can be sold.
Three Goats
393 goats have been given to 131 families since 2014. They reproduce quickly and provide income for families. Families are encouraged to participate in what is known as “Passover,” a donation of the offspring to a neighbor.
Rain Water Harvest and Sanitation
A clean, close source of water is a necessity for the village of Rilima. 5,000-liter water tanks have been provided to 10 families A 60 cubic meter community tank is being built in order to provide the village with the proper water they need.
House for Widowed Women
As of 2016, one house was constructed and another was rehabilitated for widowed women with a dire need of safe housing. The construction was a community wide effort and it used funds saved from other projects.
Kitchen Garden
20 families have been assisted in starting their own kitchen garden. These are small plots in family’s homes that allow them to feed themselves and profit from the surplus crops.
Women's Cooperative
There are currently three women’s cooperatives in the town of Rilima. One focuses on painting the historic “Imigongo” paintings to sell around the world, while the other two focus on agricultural projects.
School Feeding Program
110 students from food insecure families were given school lunches throughout the 2016 - 2017 academic year. This is a short-term solution to support families while the other projects they benefit from pay off.
Fruit Trees
Currently thereare 15,000 fruit seedlings that are waiting to be distributed to the families in Rilima. Each family will receive three seedlings to help fill their need for more fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden currently employs two women while the plants are ready to be distributed.