Mission

Ikirambi’s mission is to help prostitutes in Rwanda adopt decent and productive lives by educating them about their rights, raising their awareness of health resources, and training them in important trades and skills. To this end, we lead instruction of women’s rights in gender-based and domestic violence, develop awareness of sexual and reproductive health resources, improved methods of childcare, and HIV/AIDS testing. Simultaneously, we train the women in a variety of skills and trades including knitting, crocheting, weaving, and English, in an effort to make them eligible for employment in local markets. By building an environment in which dignity, integrity, and social justice are held paramount, we guide the women to create viable, productive, and peaceful communities.

Target Population

Ikirambi focuses its efforts on vulnerable women in Rwanda who are engaged in prostitution and sex work. Every six months, Ikirambi adopts 50 women into its programme to complete 6 months of training. This results in 100 direct beneficiaries of the organization per year, as well as 400 indirect beneficiaries, including the women’s children, other family members, and residents in their community.

Programme Outline

The Ikirambi programme focuses on literacy, skills training, income generating activities and health education. The programme is designed so that women attend literacy and vocational training at Ikirambi
centre three times per week, and business or health courses twice a week. The programme structure is designed to acclimatise the women to normal workdays, assisting in their transition away from prostitution
to jobs elsewhere.

Ikirambi employs social workers, who give the women emotional support and are available for the women meet with at all times. Guest speakers frequent the Ikirambi Centre; their presence is aimed at encouraging the women to look beyond their current condition and to explore other life choices. When the women graduate from Ikirambi, they will be equipped with the skills, confidence, and network of support that will allow them to be self-sufficient and financially independent.

Programme Content

Vocational Training. Ikirambi offers vocational, income generating and business skills training. The training will yield products that use local materials and are based on market availability. The women will attend vocational training for six months. Once the women are trained, there are encouraged to put their skills into practice by making and selling their goods. In the months following the women’s completion of the programme, Ikirambi will provide resources to assist the women in creating cooperatives and finding markets where they can sell their goods.

Business Training. On days they are not participating in vocational training, the women will engage in a financial literacy course. This course focuses on basic business, marketing, and financing skills. Upon completion of the course, the women will be capable of participating in small business ownership,successfully selling their goods, and saving and investing their money.

Literacy Courses. The women will attend Kinyarwanda and English classes. The Kinyarwanda course is aimed at increasing the women’s literacy and numeracy, preparing them to enter the working world with the ability read their own language, set prices for their goods and calculate sums. The English classes are primarily conversation-based and aim at teaching the women how to engage with international clients. Both courses assist the women in becoming employable and capable of running their own small businesses and cooperatives.

Health Education. Health awareness and education is provided as well as resources for locating health professionals, testing centres, and clinics. Support focus primarily on reproductive, maternity, and children’s health; however, sessions are also designed to raise awareness about family planning, malaria prevention, women’s hygiene, nutrition, and substance abuse awareness. Emphasis is placed on getting the women and their children tested for HIV/AIDS and beginning treatment and prevention programmes for those positive and at risk.

Rights Awareness. Ikirambi also educates women about their rights. This segment of the programme enables women to overcome their ignorance and to understand existing laws that protect them from
violence and poverty. Emphasis is placed on family law, the Rwandan Constitution, and participation in voting and community events.

Cooking Classes. Women are trained how to cook in an inexpensive and healthy way. Classes focus on preparing nutritional and well-balanced meals using locally available produce.