SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE GIRL CHILD
The path forward for the Rwamabale Empowerment & Community Initiative (RECI) requires a fundamental shift from merely treating symptoms to actively transforming systems. Our report highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive "Skills Development" component that intentionally includes both the girl child and the adult woman. In our strategic meetings with the RECI team, we emphasized that vocational training—ranging from climate-smart agriculture to digital literacy and agro-processing—must serve as the definitive "graduation" point of the project. This transition ensures that the support provided leads to long-term self-sufficiency rather than temporary relief.
However, technical training alone cannot achieve lasting change if the underlying environment remains restrictive. To be truly effective, this training must be paired with "Safe Space" dialogues that actively engage men and local leaders in shifting the cultural norms that currently suppress female agency. By equipping women with marketable skills, we provide them with the economic leverage necessary to negotiate their own health and safety within the household. This holistic approach ensures that empowerment is not just a concept, but a practical reality that reshapes the social and economic fabric of the entire community.
How We Engage
Our engagement at RECI is built on the belief that real change happens when you meet people where they are. We don’t just deliver aid; we build relationships through a "boots-on-the-ground" approach that prioritizes listening over lecturing. By organizing community-led town halls, home visits, and hospital outreaches, we create a direct line of communication with the families we serve. This allows us to understand the unique barriers each household faces, whether they are economic, social, or health-related. By showing up consistently and working alongside local leaders and families, we earn the trust necessary to introduce new ideas and drive the systemic shifts required for long-term empowerment.