Future4Kids Rwanda has inaugurated an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) to assist single mothers in raising their children while they undergo vocational training in sewing and tailoring.

Development Diaries reports that the project is situated in the Kinigi sector of the Musanze District in the Northern Province.

In collaboration with a local nonprofit, Muhisimbi, Future4Kids operates a sewing training centre for single mothers in the same area, aims to combat poverty, discrimination, abuse, as well as promote education.

It is understood that in Rwanda, due to culture and traditions, single mothers experience social exclusion.

According to Rwanda Village Community Promoters (RVCP), the children of single mothers live uncomfortable life associated with their mothers’ social exclusion and poor living conditions hence some get malnourished.

Most girls who get pregnant at a young age do not get a chance to develop any profession because they drop out of school, hence live struggling to feed their children.

‘Being a single mother in Rwanda has dire consequences. Many of these young mothers face expulsion from their families due to the shame they bring upon them. Some have lost the support of their families and struggle to provide for themselves and their infants’, the Chairman of the NGO, Otto Fischer, said.

‘These mothers require guidance. When they initially join our sewing training, they often suffer from low self-esteem. However, through group support with others facing similar circumstances and receiving care from our staff and social workers, their self-perception as mothers and contributing members of society improves’.

Upon completing the one-year training programme, the majority of the mothers become qualified and can establish their own careers in the sewing business.

Photo source: The New Times