Single Mothers in Rwanda among “most vulnerable” Beneficiaries of Salesian Initiatives

Kigali, 27 October, 2023 / 6:00 PM

Single mothers in Rwanda are among the “most vulnerable” beneficiaries of the initiatives that members of the Institute of Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in the country’s Catholic Archdiocese of Kigali are undertaking in view of empowering the needy.

In a Wednesday, October 25 report, SDB officials say the skills in agricultural business that are being offered at Don Bosco Muhazi Technical-Vocational School in the Rwandan Metropolitan See also aim at strengthening gender equality.

"The goal is to empower women and help provide support for the most vulnerable," SDB officials say, adding that the 25 students enrolled in the six-month course are to "learn how to prepare the fields for planting bananas, tomatoes, peppers, and onions."

The beneficiaries, who are expected to “also learn about animal husbandry", the Salesians say, are to be gifted with tools to put into practice the skills acquired from the initiative.

Those who complete the training are to "receive a kit to attend the course, which contains overalls, shoes, hoes, rakes, spades, sprayers, soaps, and seeds for cultivation" at the end of their course, SDB officials say in the October 25 report. 

The Interim Director of the U.S.-based development arm of the SDBs, Salesian Missions, Fr. Timothy Ploch says the agricultural course “not only helps women gain an education but it will also help ensure that their families are fed.”

“Salesian missionaries in Rwanda and around the globe provide educational programs for women so they can find employment and become self-sufficient, which aids their families and communities,” Fr. Ploch is quoted as saying in the report.