On Thursday, November 21, 2024, a newly built Youth Center in the Mwulire sector of Rwamagana district was officially inaugurated. The event, attended by the Governor of the Eastern Province and various other local leaders, marked a significant milestone in empowering the youth of the region.
The center, equipped with modern facilities, provides a wide range of services, including training rooms, project display areas, reproductive health education, technology services, entertainment, and indoor sports fields. It aims to offer the youth a space to grow, learn, and access valuable resources that will enhance their personal and professional development.
Several young people expressed their excitement about the center’s potential impact. The center houses an ICT room, which will help youth develop essential skills and search for employment opportunities.
Grace Uwimana, a local youth, shared her thoughts: “This center will help us avoid the temptations we face, especially because it’s located close to where we live. It will allow us to develop quickly.”
She added, “Our lives have started to change compared to before, when there were no such facilities. We’re excited about this development, and we believe it will make a huge difference.”
Kamikazi Ange, another youth participant, emphasized that the center would guide their peers toward positive behavior, helping them stay away from drugs and other negative influences: “We used to travel to Rwamagana or St. Aloys for sports activities, but now that these activities are brought closer to us, it will protect us from falling into bad habits. This center will fill the gaps that have been hindering the youth’s progress in Rwamagana.”
Karasira Wilson, the President of the Rwanda Red Cross
Karasira Wilson, the President of the Rwanda Red Cross, explained that the main reason for building this center was to address the challenges facing the youth, including drug abuse, early pregnancies, and mental health issues.
“The youth are the backbone of the country, but they are also facing many challenges. As a humanitarian organization, we understand the importance of providing them with support. Our goal is to empower them and create positive change in their lives.”
Pudence Rubingisa, the Governor of Eastern Province
Governor Pudence Rubingisa of the Eastern Province also highlighted the significance of the center for the surrounding communities: “This youth center offers unique opportunities for those living near this facility. It includes mental health services, and we encourage the youth to stay away from drugs and other harmful behaviors. It’s part of our national strategy to bring sports and recreational activities closer to the people, facilitating faster progress toward development.”
Governor Rubingisa further emphasized the importance of community involvement:
“This center is located within the community, not in an isolated area. That’s why we decided to bring these services closer to where people live, especially the youth. We are focusing on preventing issues, rather than just addressing problems once they have occurred, with the youth playing a central role in this effort.”
The Governor also encouraged local residents to actively engage in promoting their children’s participation in the center’s activities and to take good care of the infrastructure provided.
With its innovative approach, the center is expected to play a pivotal role in the development and empowerment of the youth in Rwamagana, setting a positive example for other communities across the country.
