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By Clementine Nyirangaruye
Twenty teenage mothers from the Rwamagana District in the Eastern Province have graduated from a six-month tailoring course organized by Merry Year International. Not only did the project equip them with vocational tailoring skills but also taught them budgeting, savings, and investment, building confidence and autonomy.
The graduation ceremony was held on 19th September 2025 at Merry Year International’s office, Gahengeri Sector, where the young women showcased Made in Rwanda products, including school uniform, bags, and clothing products, now ready for the local and international market.
Transformation Stories
Laetitia Tuyishimire, 22 years old, from Gihumuza Cell, Gatare Village, and mother to a 4-year-old child, declared that the training has given her hope for a better future.
I am grateful to Merry Year International for teaching me tailoring and also donating to me a sewing machine. I now have the skills to sew different types of clothes and bags and earn money wherever I go. Having the skills and certificate, I can give my child good upbringing, save, and invest in the future,” she said.
Mutimawurugo Clarisse, 23, of Cyanga Village, is a mother of a 5-year-old and described how tailoring helped her regain her dignity after years of shame.
Life was extremely difficult before this program. Home birth exposed me to twenty-four-hour stigma and loneliness. But today, I am glad I have completed this training. I am able to sew school uniforms, bags, and kitchen clothes. Some of the products that I made have already been sent to the market. Merry Year International rescued me from loneliness and gave me a profession,” she testified.
A Call to Be Agents of Change
Ochul Kwon, Merry Year International Country Director, called on the graduates to use their knowledge to better not only their own lives but also those of their children and families.
“Use the skills that you learned here to take care of yourself, your family, and your community. Your success will provide others in Rwanda with the motivation to improve their living conditions as well. Let us build together a better future,” he said.
Kwon also explained that there were plans to renovate the homes of some beneficiaries whose houses were found to be old or in a deplorable condition.
“We will fix damaged houses, change roofs where needful, repair doors, and cement floors to improve their living standards,” he continued.
Local Government Support
Kagabo Rwamunono Richard, vice Mayor of Rwamagana District in charge of Economic Development thanked Merry Year International for the effort in the district.
“This project empowers our citizens by giving individuals the tools of self-sufficiency instead of being a drain on government. I am most pleased that the young mothers were also given training in handling finances, savings, and investments,” he added.
Apart from Tailoring
Aside from tailoring, the children of the graduates were also brought to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, so they are also benefited from the project.
About Merry Year International
Merry Year International is a global self-reliance development non-governmental organization that provides avenues for vulnerable groups from around the globe to become independent and build viable economic futures.
Some photos of the ceremony
