The Rwanda Red Cross, in partnership with local stakeholders, has officially inaugurated a Youth Center in Mwurire Sector, Rwamagana District. The inauguration, held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, was officiated by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Pudence Rubingisa, during a three-day meeting between the Rwanda Red Cross and its partners.
The Youth Center, constructed with the support of Belgium Red Cross, is designed to address critical needs within the community and empower young people by providing services such as training rooms, reproductive health education, trauma counseling, ICT services, and sports facilities.
Youth in the area expressed enthusiasm for the center’s potential impact. Grace Uwimana highlighted the convenience of having resources nearby, saying: “This center will help us avoid harmful distractions. By bringing these services closer to where we live, it will enable us to achieve development quickly.”
Another youth member, Thomas Nshimiyimana, emphasized the center’s role in preventing negative behaviors: “We will be able to look out for each other and ensure no one falls back into substance abuse or other destructive habits. With these sports facilities close by, we will no longer have to travel to distant places like St. Aloys in Rwamagana for recreation. This will protect us from idleness and bad habits.”
The center’s construction was driven by the Rwanda Red Cross’s recognition of the challenges facing young people, including drug abuse, early pregnancies, and mental health issues. The organization’s president, Karasira Wilson, explained: “Youth are the backbone of the country, but they also face significant challenges. As a humanitarian organization, we see this center as a way to empower young people and help them overcome these challenges, ensuring they contribute positively to national development.”
Governor Rubingisa echoed these sentiments, stressing the center’s transformative potential: “This is a unique opportunity for the surrounding communities, particularly the youth. We are urging young people to take full advantage of this facility. It aligns with our national agenda of bringing sports, recreation, and development closer to the people.”
He also called on local residents to play their part: “Communities must encourage their children to participate in youth programs and take care of the infrastructure provided.”
The Youth Center is expected to serve as a critical resource for the region, bridging gaps in education, recreation, and community development, and ensuring that young people are equipped to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
