Sixty adolescent girls from Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District, aged between 16 and 17 years old, supported by Women for Women Rwanda, have graduated on 27th August 2025 after completing ten months of vocational training under the ABADACOGORA Program.
The initiative was designed to uplift school dropouts by equipping them not only with practical vocational skills but also with essential life and economic knowledge that empower them to face the future with confidence.
The program has given many girls a second chance at life. One of the graduates, Nikuze Esther, a 17-year-old who became pregnant at a young age, shared her story of resilience.
Esther lost her parents during her pregnancy, leaving her isolated and struggling to care for herself and her baby. She recalled hearing about Women for Women’s free vocational training and deciding to join.
“I was broke and lonely with my son, but now I have skills in hair braiding that allow me to earn and provide for my family,” she said.
Esther now dreams of becoming a professional makeup artist and owning her own salon.
Another graduate, Nyirahakizimana Claudine, 18, dropped out of school due to financial hardships. Through ABADACOGORA, she was able to pursue tailoring, a skill that has opened new opportunities for her to earn a living.
She expressed gratitude for the chance to gain practical knowledge, noting that her new tailoring skills will help her build a sustainable future and possibly start her own clothing business.
According to Intaramirwa Chrystel, Head of Social Empowerment Department at Women for Women – Rwanda said that this achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of the local authorities and partners who supported the initiative.
She encouraged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to create income-generating businesses, stressing that financial independence is key to transforming not only their lives but also their communities.
The ABADACOGORA program’s impact goes beyond teaching trades like tailoring, hair braiding, and makeup artistry. It instills hope and resilience in girls who once felt sidelined due to circumstances beyond their control.
The Representative of the Executive Secretary of Masaka Sector, Ndere Emmanuel also applauded Women for Women Rwanda for selecting vocational skills that are both practical and profitable.
He commended the graduates for their determination and resilience, reminding them that their hard work is the foundation of a brighter future.
“These skills will help you elevate your lives and contribute positively to your communities,” he emphasized.
With these graduates stepping forward into new opportunities, the initiative continues to demonstrate how education and empowerment can break cycles of poverty and vulnerability, giving adolescent girls the tools to rewrite their stories.
About the ABADACOGORA Program
ABADACOGORA—meaning ‘The Unstoppable’—is WfW-Rwanda’s flagship 10-months program for adolescent girls aged 16–17 years. The program was launched on October 10, 2023, in Rubona Sector, Rwamagana District, to equip 75 adolescent girls with life skills, rights awareness, self-confidence, and economic skills and opportunities to build brighter futures.
Cohorts So Far
– Rubona – Cohort 1 (October 2023): 75 adolescent girls enrolled in a 10-month holistic training. Supported by WfW International
– Rubona – Cohort 2 (2024): Another 75 adolescent girls joined, strengthening the program’s reach in rural communities. Supported by WfW International & Cartier philanthropies
– Masaka – Cohort 3 (2024/2025): 65 adolescent girls enrolled in Kicukiro District, supported by BB Energy Foundation. This was the first ABADACOGORA cohort in an urban setting. Out of 65 enrolled, 60 have successfully graduated.
Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALI TIMES