Musanze – On 19^th and 20^th December 2024, the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and partners in social protection, has rolled out a two-day intensive training of trainers designed to the attention of Para-social Workers (PSWs) across the country, in a concerted effort to uplift vulnerable households and ensure their sustainable graduation out of poverty.

These trainings are designed to equip Provincial, District and Sector staff with skills to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Graduation (NSSG). The training sessions, currently in their second phase, were held in various districts including Musanze where participants from Rulindo, Gakenke and Burera districts were actively engaged. The training workshops were interactive, allowing trainers and trainees to exchange ideas and share practical experiences.

Speaking on the broader goals of the training, Mr. Rwahama Jean Claude, Director of Social Protection Unit at LODA, emphasized that it’s not only about knowledge transfer, but also about equipping social workers and local leaders with the tools they need to drive real change in their respective communities. He emphasized that by empowering Para-Social Workers, “we are strengthening the foundation of Rwanda’s social protection system and ensuring that no one is left behind on their journey out of poverty”.

Echoing the importance of the training, the Director of Social Protection Division at Rulindo District, Mr. Uwimana Jean Bosco, said that social workers are responsible for monitoring and implementing the Graduation Strategy, and this training gives them knowledge that will help them guide and monitor the operations of Para Social Workers in this journey. “After getting this knowledge, we also have the responsibility to go and train these PSWs. As soon as we train them, they will also go to help our people, lifting them out of poverty”.

This nationwide training initiatives involves various participants including Provincial, District and Sector staff. By equipping these individuals with essential skills, participants shall also instill the training package into Cell Staff (2,148 SEDOs/HCDOs) and 14,719 PSWs, who will in return accompany households throughout the graduation pathway.