BUJUMBURA, May 28 (ABP) – The RAJEDES-Burundi association (Youth Assembly for the Socio-Economic Development of Burundi), through its training center “TWESE MW’ITERAMBERE,” held a certificate award ceremony on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Bujumbura, for the 15th class of its graduates in sewing and computer science.
A total of 17 graduates were certified, including 15 in sewing and 2 in computer science. Five of the sewing graduates received sewing machines as a loan, repayable within a year, ABP learned on site.
The national coordinator of RAJEDES-Burundi, Donatien Nibogora, stated that this training center was established in 2021 as part of efforts to combat youth unemployment by training them in various trades such as sewing, hairdressing, soap making, computer skills, and adult literacy.
He also mentioned that since the center’s creation, the results have been promising, explaining that since 2021, the number of graduates has reached 200, all of whom are still active in their respective sectors.
Regarding post-training follow-up, Mr. Nibogora indicated that RAJEDES-Burundi conducts monthly visits to each graduate’s workplace to assess their progress and identify any challenges they may face, in order to support them.
Mr. Nibogora also noted that the association often provides a loan of 350,000 BIF, refundable over one year, to ensure better working conditions for tailors who wish to purchase fabric and launch new design projects. The same loan is also available to those struggling to pay rent.
“Among the graduates of this center, one woman managed to start a bag-making business and now sells her products in Uvira, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” Mr. Nibogora shared, expressing pride in the center’s outcomes.
Despite these positive results, coordinator Nibogora acknowledged that some trainees drop out of their programs. He attributed this to laziness for some, lack of time due to difficult living conditions for others, and the relocation of learners to remote neighborhoods from the training center.
Mr. Donatien Nibogora also announced a new specialty introduced for certified tailors: the production of reusable sanitary pads. According to him, this program was added because these products are well-received in the market and generate significant income. Some of the graduates return to work with the association in making these sanitary pads and are better compensated, he noted.
The national coordinator called on the 17 graduates to put into practice the knowledge they acquired at the training center, stressing that learning without applying what one has learned is no different from not learning at all.
He urged the sewing graduates to distinguish themselves from unprofessional tailors, often known for dishonesty and failing to meet deadlines, and to do everything possible to earn clients’ trust while working in synergy.
Mr. Nibogora reassured the graduates that the RAJEDES-Burundi association will continue to support them until they become fully self-reliant, and that follow-up visits will be conducted to assess their progress and the condition of the machines loaned to them.
Ernevine Nsengiyumva, one of the certified graduates, expressed her satisfaction with the skills acquired at the center. She shared that even the clothes they wore during the certificate ceremony were made by themselves, demonstrating their craftsmanship.
According to her, they are all capable of sewing various styles, to the point that some people have a hard time believing that the graduates themselves designed the garments, she added.
Regarding the sewing machines received as loans, Ms. Nsengiyumva said they are a solid foundation for building their future.
She called on other young people to stop sitting idle, to learn trades in order to become self-reliant and contribute to the country’s development. Above all, she urged them not to look down on the sewing profession, as it is a good income-generating trade th8at enables families to sustain themselves.