Supported by the Swedish “CarpeVitam” in partnership with “Association des Scouts du Burundi (ASB)” and “Association des Guides du Burundi (AGB)”, the project teaches the youths to depend on their own effort.-By Yves Didier Irakoze
: Learners practicing computer skills at Buhonga center ©Iwacu
Started on February 2014, the project gathers 30 youths from Bujumbura province (Kanyosha) into 11 centers such as Coga, Muyira, Muhanambogo, Kirombwe from Zone Muyira; in Zone Ruyaga: Ruyaga Communal College, Ruyaga Youth Centre, Buhonga Parish, Buhonga Professional Center and in Zone Kiyenzi: Nyamaboko primary school, Kiyenzi Communal Lycée and Kiyenzi primary school.
“We teach them life skills and competences on various modules such as Sexuality and AIDS, on values like peaceful resolution of conflicts and we encourage them to use their talents and charisma in order to become effective entrepreneurs. We also teach them computer skills,” points out Francis Cumwami, Project Coordinator.
He goes saying that they also sensitize them to create a solidarity funds with a monthly or weekly contribution supported by their trainer. Thus, they can undertake their income generating activities. Erica Basuzuguye, Representative of Buhonga Center mentions that they teach them computer skills, word and excel modules in one month and thereafter they receive other members coming from another center.
“At the end of the course, we offer training to anyone who wants and we already have three voluntary beneficiaries who will teach others while waiting for a cyber and the internet supply project,” states Erica. According to Erica Basuzuguye, those youths appreciate the project and would like to see the project reaching a good development. For Francis Cumwami, the results and the outcomes of the project are effective because we realize that now there is an improvement of the youths in scientific knowledge and peace building. “This is a real and an important advance,” he mentions.
A very beneficial initiative
Diane Harerimana from Nyamaboko centre salutes the project in the way that this one contributes much in her life. “I was jobless and didn’t know how I could open up my mind to be self-dependent. But, since I have followed up the program of “Open minds project, I have learnt even how to undertake other projects and develop myself,” testifies Harerimana.
According to Ezechiel Minani from Buhonga centre, the project helps them to gain much. For instance, some of them didn’t know how to write but now they are able and know how to use a computer. He adds that the entrepreneurship program helps them open up their mind and have the leadership spirit.
“We appreciate the project but we are afraid because we don’t know whether or not the project will continue. Then, we want the project to continue and we need at least one computer to each centre to continue practicing what we have learned. We also need solar panels as we lack electricity in our centers,” states Harerimana. For Ezechiel Minani, one month to learn is not enough; they wish that the project be extended.
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