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The center aims to help young women acquire basic knowledge and skill in cutting patterns and sewing. Then, it is our hope they can more easily find a livelihood and improve the lives of their families.
The center also encourages the development of human values based on their faith, whether Christian or another.
The training promotes a family spirit and mutual support, respecting and welcoming differences.
The center first opened its doors for the academic year 2002-2003 and since then, it welcomes young women who are unable to pursue further academic studies. They are between the ages of 18 to 25, most coming from a rather poor background. They often stay with family members who live in Kigali. The city can be "dangerous"! Because of the war, many of them have no parents and are left to themselves. Our hope is to spare them the fate of "street girls".
The center operates in Holy Family parish, in accord with the parish priest. With the help of benefactors, a room was built to accommodate this training project for young women.
The center accommodates 40 to 50 students each year, but by the end, there are only 30. Some cannot find the money for school fees; others do not find lodging in Kigali, their relatives having been killed or in prison.
A MSOLA is responsible for the center. She organizes the work, provides the necessary equipment and arranges with her colleagues, a lady seamstress and a daughter. The clothes they make are one source of income for the Center.
The girls are happy, they love sewing and so far, they have all found a job that gives them self respect.
They no longer risk being in the street, and they are able to help their families.
Sr Immaculada Cerruti, MSOLA |
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