The challenge
Rwanda has a severe lack of well-trained carpenters, plumbers and metalworkers; the demand for skilled workers in all kinds of fields is high. Especially now that Rwanda is experiencing rapid growth and could well use artisans.
For many young people, it is not easy to find a job. Providing good vocational training significantly increases employment opportunities for many young people.
Response
Rubengera Technical Secondary School
In 2013, the technical school, a vocational training programme in woodworking for young people – both boys and girls – was launched. During this 3-year practical training, students are trained as carpenters and thus acquire a government-recognised vocational diploma. Besides professional knowledge and skills (knowledge of materials and tools, quality and safety, business management and attention to the environment), students are also taught English and there is a lot of focus on personality development based on God’s word, with social and communication skills and respect for human dignity, cooperation and conflict management high on the school agenda. The school has good classrooms, offices, practice rooms, an exhibition area and excellent equipment. The team of teachers is well trained. The curriculum was developed in consultation with the Rwandan government and experts from Germany.
The school is very well regarded and delivers skilled people, who are very wanted by Rwandan companies.
An urgent need was to build a dormitory for the boys. This already exists for the girls, but a dormitory is indispensable to accommodate students from further afield. Thanks to various donations, construction could begin in late 2024 and will be completed in 2025.
 Practical  Boys’ dormitory under construction |  Break  Girls’ dormitory |
Prowood provides training
At the Technical School, training sessions are regularly held for teachers at other technical schools in Rwanda. These trainings are provided by Prowood.
Because the existing workshop did not offer enough space for these trainings, a second workshop was built, so that the students are no longer in each other’s way and, moreover, space has also been created for other trainings that the school itself organises for various target groups. The workshop came about with support from Prowood.
 Before |  During |  Gradudated |
Project manager
Zuster Marie Josee Niyonsaba
Duration
Long-term
Project messages
Not all students are able to pay tuition fees, which is why there is a fund to help especially qualified first-year students.
I would like to sponsor a student