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By Annonciata Byukusenge
At the Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in eastern Rwanda, hundreds of young people once on the wrong side of the law are finding new meaning in life through education, vocational training, and emotional healing.
The facility currently houses 395 children aged between 14 and 18, including 16 girls. Many of them were convicted of offenses such as theft, assault, drug abuse, or infanticide. For most, the road here was marked by pain, separation from family, shame, and a loss of hope. But now, their stories are taking a brighter turn.
“Before coming here, I thought my life was over,” says a 17-year-old boy. “But the government gave me a chance to study despite my mistakes. The teachers and officers here encourage us, and now I dream of becoming a soldier to serve my country.”
Inside the center, the young offenders attend formal primary and secondary education classes, and many also take up vocational skills training in carpentry, welding, tailoring, hairdressing, computer literacy, and beauty therapy. Those who had dropped out of school are reintegrated into the education system and supported to sit for national exams alongside other Rwandan students.
They also receive guidance and counseling to rebuild self-esteem, along with balanced meals that include milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables nurturing environment designed to restore both mind and body.
“When I was sentenced, I thought I had no future,” says another boy, now in Senior Two. “But here, we study with a purpose. We even take the same national exams as students outside. Some of us have earned scholarships. That gives us confidence that we still matter.”
The children encourage their peers outside the center to stay in school, obey their parents, and avoid anything that could lead them into conflict with the law.
Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) Sengabo Hillary Emmanuel, spokesperson for the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), says that the rehabilitation program is run by qualified educators, including trained RCS staff and professional teachers who are themselves serving inmates.
“When we see these children learning, performing well, and showing positive behavior, we feel proud of our work,” says CSP Sengabo. “That’s the goal of correction-to transform, not to punish.”
He adds that children should not have to end up in correctional centers, urging parents to take a more active role in guiding and protecting their children to prevent them from drifting into street life, which often leads to crime.
According to Irere Claudette, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, children in rehabilitation centers are entitled to the same learning opportunities as others in the community.
“We ensure that they have teachers, textbooks, and learning materials, and RCS provides them time to study and revise,” Minister Irere explains. “They sit for national exams, and when they perform well and demonstrate discipline, some are even granted a presidential pardon.”
She emphasizes that detention should never erase their identity as children.
“The purpose of this center is correction and reintegration. If a child leaves without a sense of direction, the world will leave them behind,” she says.
Established in 2012, the Nyagatare Juvenile Rehabilitation Center continues to embody Rwanda’s vision of restorative justice-helping young offenders rebuild their lives and return to society as responsible, hopeful citizens.
