Gikaya Learning Centre Project

Kayonza, Rwanda

Building Skills. Restoring Dignity. Creating Futures.

Gikaya Learning Centre

Basic Dignities is working with the local Rwandan nonprofit Hope Iwacu Initiative to help endangered youth in Nyamirama Sector, Kayonza District, Rwanda. The two organizations are partnering to construct an inclusive vocational training and youth empowerment center. The learning center combines technical skills development with holistic youth empowerment, creating a model community-based learning hub capable of transforming lives while contributing to sustainable development.

The Centre will provide vulnerable youth with practical vocational skills, entrepreneurship training, life skills, psychosocial support, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) education, and pathways to dignified employment. The project specifically targets:

• Young women and girls

• Young mothers

• Persons with disabilities

• School dropouts

• Youth from vulnerable households

• Youth at risk of trafficking and exploitation

Land for the Centre has already been secured by Hope Iwacu Initiative, demonstrating strong local ownership and commitment. The local community in Kayonza District, Rwanda is excited to have the Gikaya Learning Center in their backyard, and they have secured the land, pictured below, as the future location of the center.

The Gikaya Learning Centre will be comprised of the following:

• Four vocational training classrooms

• Administrative office

• Storage room

• Counselling and mentorship space

• Early Childhood Development (ECD) Corner

• Accessible outdoor sanitation facilities

• Outdoor learning and recreation space

• Solar-powered energy system

The photos below show plans for the Gikaya Learning Center.

Basic Dignities is working closely with the Rwandan nonprofit organization Hope Iwacu Initiative to ensure the successful construction and operation of the Gikaya Learning Center. For more information on the project, reach out to us on our Contact page!

If you’d like to support the project, please visit our Donate page!

Hope Iwacu Initiative

“Hope Iwacu Initiative is a non-profit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Rwanda. Our mission is to protect vulnerable individuals, empower survivors, and create a society free from human trafficking and where SRHR is respected and upheld.”

Hope Iwacu Initiative is a registered non-profit organization operating in Rwanda and the Central African Republic. They have been recognized by the Rwandan government since early 2018. Their work focuses on preventing human trafficking, supporting survivors, promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), empowering vulnerable youth, and strengthening community resilience through education, advocacy, and livelihood initiatives.

The Hope Iwacu Initiative board has 9 members who are on the ground, actively moving the learning center project forward.

Kabera Telesphore is the Secretariat Coordinator. He Provides overall leadership and coordination of the organization, leads networking and partnership engagement, oversees organizational strategy and donor relations, represents the organization in meetings and external engagements, supervises project implementation and institutional development.

Theogene Habiyambere is the Programs Coordinator. Coordinates program implementation and field activities; provides psychosocial support and direct assistance to victims and vulnerable beneficiaries; follows up TUSEME clubs and youth empowerment activities; supports safeguarding interventions; leads monitoring and evaluation activities and prepares program progress reports.

Adelphine Tuyizere is the Finance Officer. He is responsible for financial management and administration; prepares financial reports and budgets; manages reconciliations and financial documentation; ensures accountability and compliance with financial procedures; supports procurement and administrative processes.

Yvonne Nyiranshimiyimana is the Officer in Charge of Mentorship and Survivor Support. She Coordinates mentorship and empowerment activities; supports survivors of human trafficking and vulnerable youth through psychosocial support and referrals; facilitates Safe Space activities; conducts follow-up support and community engagement activities; promotes survivor-centred approaches and wellbeing.

The remaining board members are support volunteers who are active in the community.

project successes

Hope Iwacu Initiative has already implemented several successful projects in Rwanda, and they are actively working to improve the communities where they work. They currently have a radio programs to educate and raise awareness regarding human trafficking called Umusare Radio Drama Series.

• They have created drama programs for students between 7th-12th grade focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights in 7 schools. It is a collaborative program with students and educators, creating a safe space to bring up and address various issues that arise at those ages through acting/role playing.  The goal is to teach both young men and young women about respecting each other, communicating with someone if there is a problem, preventing STIs, and preventing unwanted pregnancies.

• They assist victims of trafficking as they are able until they get a shelter/home/school of some sort built.

• They designed and implemented a program for prison inmates regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including training for guards to be able to run the program.

For more information on Hope Iwacu Initiative, check out their website! HOPE IWACU INITIATIVE – Restoring Human Dignity.