Empowering women through the DIKAM Training Center

In the heart of Rwanda, DIKAM is empowering women and fostering job creation through its training programmes. The DIKAM Training Center (DTC) exists to provide valuable skills and secure employment for women — particularly young mothers — and youth.

The idea for the centre emerged when DIKAM was asked to train teenage mothers in garment sewing. Recognising the challenges these young women face, Diane envisioned a supportive environment where mothers could learn while their children were cared for in an on-site nursery. At the end of the programme, participants are offered employment at DIKAM — a stable income and a path to financial independence.

The centre's work has attracted significant partnerships. With the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), supported by USAID, DTC trained 80 teenage mothers in garment-making. A further contract with Rwanda's Ministry of Sport and Art focused on training 150 youth in garment manufacturing using modern technology.

Around 600 people have now come through DIKAM training programmes, with roughly 400 going on to work at DIKAM or other factories. Courses run three to six months, led by international trainers — and for most graduates, the certificate is a first formal qualification and a direct path to a wage.