Strong Future

The Strong Future project aims to support young women in the Huye district of Rwanda who have had to drop out of school due to unwanted pregnancies.

These young mothers face enormous challenges, including family conflicts, social stigmatization and financial hardship. Their children often suffer from malnutrition and a lack of medical care. The aim of the project is to open up sustainable economic prospects for the women through education and vocational qualifications and to strengthen them in their role as mothers.

The program includes six months of vocational training at a state school in Butare, during which the participants learn practical skills (e.g. in tailoring or hairdressing). In addition, they receive training in business management basics to enable them to run small businesses. After completing the program, they are provided with start-up capital to implement their business ideas. In addition, the project offers psychosocial support through individual and group-based counseling, which helps the women to overcome family conflicts and strengthen their life prospects.

Another focus is on imparting knowledge about sexual and reproductive health as well as trauma healing. In twelve sessions, the women receive comprehensive information about their bodies, their rights and consensual sexuality. They learn to understand their own sexuality and to stand up for their rights.

The project has several positive effects: It enables the young women to become economically independent, boosts their self-confidence and helps them to build a network. Their children benefit from improved nutrition and education, which breaks cycles of poverty in the long term. The women can also act as multipliers in their communities, passing on knowledge and encouraging other women. Through their successes, they can become role models and reduce the social stigma against young mothers.