Ex combatant and former JICA trainee, Chantel (middle) is now heading a tailoring cooperative in Gicumbi, Northern Province.
Rwanda has experienced long standing civil wars and genocide in the past. While Rwanda has been demobilizing soldiers and reintegrating ex-combatants into local communities through the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Program (RDRP), demobilized soldiers particularly with disabilities (DSwDs) face serious challenges in rebuilding their lives socially and economically. Closely working with the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) and Skills Training Center (STC), the project aims are 1) strengthening STC capacity on skills training for DSwDs, and 2) raising public awareness for people with disabilities including DSwDs. Skills training includes tailoring, construction, carpentry, welding and water supply work.
Ex combatant Bosco (left) becomes part of the local community, and runs his shoe making business with his civilian partner in Gicumbi, Northern Province
Under the project, a total of 100 demobilized soldiers with disabilities, including two women DSwDs, have been accepted for skills trainings in CFJ Nyanza and CFJ Rwabuya (45 DSwDs and 55 DSwDs respectively). So far, 34 cooperatives are formed by those who completed the trainings.
This project is a follow-up to the Skills Training for the Reintegration of Demobilized Soldiers with Disabilities (2005-2008).