Byuka Bakobwa project seeks to empower teen mothers and victims of GBV

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

At least sixty vulnerable teen mothers and former street girl children who were struggling as the result of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have regained hope after joining a project dubbed ‘Byuka Bakobwa’ that aims at building their financial capacity through training in motor driving and construction.

The Byuka bakobwa or wake up girls-Project has been initiated by Centre Marembo Organization to respond to the social issues affecting young girls in Rwanda with a particular focus on female street children, adolescent girls’ victims of gender based, and teenage mothers.

Sponsored by Canadian The pilot phase of this project is assisting 60 beneficiaries in Total, and tjhose include 30 teen mothers to become professional and certified motorcyclists with driving license at the end; while 30 teen mothers are being trained in construction of pave and tile.

Every month, the project gives Rwf50,000 to every teen mother to assist them pay accommodation and they will soon be given Rwf10,000 to buy milk for their children

“The organization provides a holistic approach to tackle the various challenges surrounding our community of beneficiaries aged between 5-18 years old. Some of our services include hostage for the homeless girls, rehabilitation and family reintegration, sponsorships and training for formal and vocational education, psycho-social support, as well as sexual reproduction health.” Said Nicolette Nsabimana, CMO-Executive Director.

“Byuka Bakobwa is a CMO’s innovative solution designed to offer a non-traditional professional training program for key select young girls who are victims of gender-based violence (GBV). This project was conceptualized with the assumption that it will be accessible and implemented in a safe and empowering framework for the beneficiaries while availing psychosocial accompaniment, professional mentorship, and community awareness around the issue of GBV.” Nsabimana added, noting that the outcome would be to enhance the girls’ professional competencies, uplift their self-confidence and personal power, which in the end, will contribute to their overall restoration.

The project is being implemented in Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro District.

Grace Uwimanizanye, 23, is one of the beneficiaries who are learning professional motorcycle driving. This mother of 3 year old daughter was impregnated when she was studying in senior Four (S4) of secondary schools, ending by dropping out.

She told The Inspirer that she started to dream high and is striving to compete for A&B driving permits since she is performing well in motor driving theoretical lessons.

“I can see now a good progress, before I was in a loneliness after dropping out and start a tough life as a young mother. I liked politics and my dreams were to become a very important person if I got a chance to finish my studies. But now I restored hope and all in wish is to learn and get many driving permits.” She said.

Angelique Mukanoheli, 21, is another beneficiary from Ndera sector, Gasabo district. She has a six year old daughter and she is learning construction with the full support of Byuka Bakobwa project.

“I was impregnated when I was in primary four, I had nowhere to find support but now I have a hope that the future of mine and my child will be brighter, thanks to Centre Marembo and its Byuka Bakobwa project.” Mukanoheli noted.

Vestine Niyonshuti, 22, also learns construction at the center. She says that construction is a good vocational skills that can help her change life.

Beneficiaries will take five months to learn and will be given certificates as they graduate.