VISDAPOC: SDF grant winner supporting young women in special technical skills

One of trainees smiling as she holds a certificate awarded in the training

About 75 underprivileged young women and girls have a short course training in Tailoring, Handcraft and Knitting from ‘VISDAPOC’ training center operating in Ndera and Rusororo sectors of Gasabo district.

VISDAPOC is among the seventeen winners of the first round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) grants awarded by the World Bank through WDA to enable the implementation of quality TVET.

The training center received a grant of Rwf 14,665,000 to train 126 young women and girls in tailoring, Handcraft and Knitting.

Trainees in tailoring process as they learn sewing various materials including ‘food warming bags’

Special products made by VISDAPOC trainees include ‘food warming bags’ that keep food warm for 15 hours.  According to one of the trainers Judith Mukarwego, a process to make an operational leaflet to accompany each warming bag is underway to guide their clients.

Yvonne Mukanyangezi 22, is one of the 75 trainees who completed in the first batch and has started earning from the skills acquired. One food warming bag costs between Rwf 20,000 and Rwf 25,000. It takes a maximum of two days for one to complete one bag.

“I am now capable of providing myself with most basic needs, to my parents and young siblings’, She said

A trainer assisting young woman how to sew different products like Kitenge dresses, computer bags and baby holders among many others

Other products made through modern Tailoring and Knitting at VISDAPOC include computer bags, baby holders, Mobile Telephone holders, Kitenge dresses, Handcrafts and School uniforms.

Support to people living with disabilities

VISDAPOC has not discriminated people with disabilities in providing such training. Esperance Uwimana 32, is one armed and also one of the 75 SDF graduates. She has been engaged in tailoring for the last 6 years but with no required and standard skills.

“I am always certain of earning at least Rwf 10,000 every after two days from making a food warming bag or other products” Uwimana said.  She works with other women in a cooperative supported by the Solace Ministries-Rwanda established in 1995 to comfort widows and orphans of the 1994 genocide.

According to the Director of VISDAPOC training center Antoine Niyitegeka, there is a plan to set up a production unit as a way to create sustainability and assist trainees before they form their own cooperatives.  A lot of advocacy will also be done to bring in most TVET stakeholders and marketing their products.

The training center is also looking for a sustainable market to start supplying sweaters and uniforms needed by most schools in Gasabo district and beyond.

In 2012, a total amount of Rwf 564, 576,222 (941, 000 USD) was awarded to 17 winners in the first round of the SDF grants while in 2013 another grant worth 718,601,757 Rwf (1,105,541 USD) was also awarded to 20 winners in the second round.  A third round is being organized to allow more chances for other training institutions.

Sectors supported through this grant include Carpentry, Automotive Mechanics, Handcraft and Tailoring, Beauty and Esthetics, Building services, Manufacturing, Welding, Agriculture, Hospitality and Tourism

According to Livingstone Byandaga the SDF Manager the program is increasing and registering success in different districts and different trades.

“In only two rounds of applications, we have penetrated 22 districts of Rwanda.  We are now embarking on sensitization campaigns to ensure that we penetrate even the remaining 8 districts in the third call for proposals”, He said.

The SDF Manager still encourages people in the fields of Mining, Manufacturing, Clean and Sustainable Energy, Water Resources sector and Film making to apply.  He added that these sectors are critical and have not yet attracted applicants.

“Train the Youth and grow your business! Apply for an SDF sub-grant and unlock your potential.”

VISDAPOC: SDF grant winner supporting young women in special technical skills