By Doreen Karungi
Twenty teenage mothers who completed a seven-month tailoring training programme in 2026, together with 20 others who completed the programme in 2025, were recognized during held on September 17, 2026, at the Merry Year International Training center in Gahengeri Sector, Rwamagana District.
The ceremony was organized to celebrate the completion of the training for 2026 teenage graduates and to hand over sewing machines and other tailoring equipment’s to the 2025 graduates to help them put their skills into practice, create jobs and improve their livelihoods.
The 2026 graduates completed the tailoring training. They were also trained in savings, finance, investments and developing a mindset change that can help them improve their lives and provide better opportunities for their children.
The 2025 graduates were already awarded certificates and given additional time to refresh and improve the skills they had previously acquired, with the aim of helping them become better connected to different markets Merry Year International provided the 2025 graduates with sewing machines and other equipments related to their trade to help them start working and become economically independent.
The equipments was provided through an agreement involving Merry Year International, Gahengeri Sector and the teenage mothers together with their parents. Under the agreement, beneficiaries are required to take good care of the equipment, use it for tailoring and not for sell it.
Godfrey MUGABO, the acting project representative of Merry Year International, thanked the Rwamagana District authorities, local leaders, partners and parents for their cooperation in making the programme successful.
He said the programme was not only about providing vocational skills but also about helping teenage mothers rebuild their lives and become able to support themselves and their families. In a message from the MYI Executive Director, Mugabo said the organization was pleased to see the girls becoming more skilled in tailoring, but that what was even more encouraging was the friendship and support they developed among themselves. He said they had shown determination to change their lives. “Today is not the end, but a new beginning.”
Jean Bosco Byaruhanga, Executive Secretary of Gahengeri sector and Guest of Honour at the ceremony, thanked Merry Year International for supporting teenage mothers by providing them with skills and opportunities to improve their lives. He said that although the sector works with different partners on various projects, Merry Year International has provided broader support to teenage mothers, including vocational training and sewing equipment. He also expressed satisfaction with the success of the
programme.
Addressing the graduates, he reminded them that such opportunities are not easy to get and urged them to make good use of what they had received. “A person wearing a precious jewel may not know its value. It is not easy to get training like this or to
receive sewing machines like these. We are happy that you received these machines for free, as well as the training, without paying anything.”He says
He urged the graduates to use the skills and equipment to create jobs and improve their livelihoods rather than waste the opportunity. “Tomorrow, do not find yourself on the street begging when you have been given a tool that can help
you improve your life.”He says
Jean Bosco, also explained that the sewing machines were provided through an agreement involving the parents, the beneficiaries, the sector authorities and the project. The agreement is intended to ensure that the machines are not sold and are properly used to generate income. He added that beneficiaries who later get married or start living with a partner are allowed to take the machines with them and continue using them to support themselves.
MYI Partners in trainings; NDOREYE Erneste, the head team of Family Success Rwanda, thanked the authorities and partners who attended the ceremony, particularly the teenage mothers who had given birth at a young age and took part in the programme.
He described it as an encouraging achievement that all 20 girls who started the 2026 training completed it.
He urged the graduates not to waste the skills they had acquired, but to use them to create employment and improve their livelihoods.
UWAYEZU Leodomire, who represented the parents, thanked Merry Year International, authorities and partners for providing the girls with an opportunity to learn a vocational skills. He urged the 2025 and 2026 graduates to make use of the skills they had acquired and take good care of the sewing machines and other equipments they received so that they could use them to improve their lives.
Claudia KAYITESI, one of the 2025 graduates, thanked Merry Year International for the support project and opportunity to learn tailoring skills, the trainers for teaching them tailoring and providing lessons that helped them change their mindset and think about their future. She also thanked parents for taking care of their children while the girls were attending training, which enabled them to concentrate on their studies. She said one of the achievements she was most proud of was that all 20 members of their group completed the training. “No one dropped out of our group of 20 students.”
MUKANKUNSI Fanny, one of the 2026 graduates, said she started the programme without knowing how to sew but had now acquired skills that enabled her to make clothes and other products. She said she could now use tailoring to improve her livelihood, support her parents and contribute to the country’s development. She thanked Merry Year International for the support.
“I now have confidence in my future”
Chantal MUKANDAYIZEYE, 20 years old, from Kabeza Village in Gihumuza Cell, is a mother of 8 months old baby. Thanked MYI project, She said the tailoring training had given her hope and confidence in her future. “I can now make different types of clothes and bags, which means I can earn money wherever I am. I have the skills and a certificate, and now I can take better care of my child, save money and invest.”She said
Another graduate 2026, NIRAGIRE Frida, 21 years old, from Kabuye Village in Cyibare Cell and mother to 4 year old child. She said life had been difficult before she received the opportunity to join the MYI programme.
According to Frida, becoming a mother at a young age made her feel ashamed and sad, while her relationship with her parents was also difficult. She said learning tailoring helped her regain confidence and gave her a profession that she could rely on
in life. “Today I am happy to have completed the training. I can now make school uniforms, bags and kitchen
clothes. Merry Year International helped me overcome isolation by teaching me a profession.”She says
KAMANZI Beatrice, a Rwamagana District official responsible for assessing and coordinating partners’ activities (JAF), thanked Merry Year International for its role in helping teenage mothers who gave birth at a young age acquire vocational skills. She urged the graduates to make good use of the opportunities they had received by using their skills and sewing machines to improve their livelihoods. She also reminded them that the sewing machines were not meant to be sold, but were provided as
tools to help them create jobs and become economically independent.
KANGABIRE Albertine, a Rwamagana District official responsible for gender and family development, said a community is made up of parents, children and neighbours, with each person playing a role in the lives of others.
She said early pregnancy and childbirth were not desirable, but once they happened, support was needed to help young mothers acquire skills and the ability to provide for themselves and their children. She urged the graduates to make use of the opportunities they had received to rebuild their lives and avoid returning to circumstances that could expose them to another early pregnancy.
She further advised them to visit nearby health centres and access family planning services if they felt unable to prevent another pregnancy, so that they could first build stable livelihoods before having more children.
Merry Year International (MYI) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to sustainable development worldwide. We strive to create opportunities for those in need of self-reliance, believing that our collective efforts can empower people to make a new start beyond poverty. Merry Year International seeks fundamental solutions for the sustainable independence of community members.
Source Photo: Doreen
