This is what it's all about.
In the Rwandan district of Nyamasheke, one of the poorest districts in Rwanda, 62% of the population live below the poverty line and about 92% of the youth are unemployed. Sangira has set up a hotel school where the third cohort of 100 young people aged 18-33 is currently being trained in kitchen, service, front office and housekeeping. More than half are women, including many young mothers.
Besides hospitality skills, the students also learn English, entrepreneurship and how to navigate the job market. The six-month course is followed by a three-month internship in the hospitality industry. Students also have the opportunity to use their new skills in the Sangira Talents school restaurant. There, they serve meals to locals and tourists on their way to Nyungwe National Park.
Sangira is equipping these young people with the skills they need to find marketable jobs in Rwanda’s booming tourism sector.
The Sangira project is special because ...
Sangira’s vocational training programme gives young people the chance to learn a trade and improve their future prospects. The impact is sustainable - each worker supports an entire family.
This is what Sangira need backing for.
The Sangira school bakery was opened in July 2023 with minimal infrastructure and with the help of Swiss bakery apprentices who had been on an internship in Kigali and Nyamasheke. The bakery not only helps to purchase raw materials for the baking classes, but also makes a valuable contribution to the local economy and community. The nearest bakery is an hour’s drive away. Important materials and equipment are still missing to make the bakery fully functional.
Valuable donations in kind (baking machines) have been received from Switzerland. The challenge now is to get these donations to Rwanda. Any contribution, large or small, will help to organise a container from Switzerland and bring the urgently needed materials and equipment safely to Nyamasheke.
