Huye youth celebrate the opening of Inzozi Youth Center as a hub expected to transform lives

Young people from Ngoma Sector in Huye District say they have gained a life-changing opportunity with the official inauguration of Inzozi Youth Center, a new facility designed to empower youth through health education, skills development, and entrepreneurship training.

Built through a partnership between the Rwanda Red Cross and the Government of Rwanda, the center aims to provide a safe and dynamic space where young people can learn, socialize, and create sustainable development projects.

It will serve as a venue for sports, reproductive health education, and innovation programs that promote social and economic growth.

A place of hope and positive change

Local youth describe Inzozi Youth Center as a long-awaited solution to the lack of recreational and educational spaces in their community. Many believe the center will protect them from negative influences such as drug abuse and risky sexual behavior.

“It’s exciting because we never had enough playgrounds or a proper place to play and socialize. Now we can have fun and learn new skills here instead of turning to bad habits like drug use,”said Egide Mucyo, one of the youth who attended the opening ceremony.

Emeline Ishimwe, who explored the center’s digital learning room, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities it offers: “This place gives us freedom to enjoy ourselves while gaining knowledge. We will be trained in self-reliance and development skills, and it will help us avoid negative behaviors.”

Another young participant, Salomon Mahoroyimana, added that the facility will serve as a hub for innovation: “I thank the Rwanda Red Cross for thinking about us. This center will allow us to present and develop our business ideas. It will also keep us engaged, which helps us avoid issues like drug abuse and early pregnancies.”

Building a future for youth

According to Karasira Wilson, President of the Rwanda Red Cross, the Inzozi Youth Center project was initiated to give young people a space where they can learn, grow, and design their own future.

“This center was built to help youth in Huye access training, develop small-scale projects, and gain first aid and life skills. It also includes a counseling room to support youth dealing with mental health challenges, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. We plan to replicate this model in other provinces,” he said.

A call to action from the government

Sandrine Umutoni, State Minister of Youth and Arts, said the new center is a timely response to challenges facing young people today, urging youth to make it profitable.

“ You must make the most of this opportunity. Whether it’s the sports grounds or the training programs offered here, this is your time to build a better future for yourselves, your families, and the country. Proper use of this facility will help you stay away from drugs, excessive drinking, and other behaviors that hinder your development,” she said.

Partnership for sustainable impact

Mayor of Huye District, Ange Sebutege commended the Rwanda Red Cross and its partners for their commitment, saying the project demonstrates how collaboration drives community transformation.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Rwanda Red Cross and all partners who have worked tirelessly to make this event possible. It is through partnerships like this that we can make a real and lasting impact on socioeconomic transformation of the community and development of our cities. Inzozi Youth Center means we are still dreaming, it means we are still dreaming this centre to become a model centre. It is going to support the community, especially the youth of this region. Together with our partners, we will continue to champion initiatives that foster creativity and promoting sports talents, because we know that when they succeed, we all succeed,” he said.

A modern facility with a vision

The center includes sports grounds for volleyball and basketball, classrooms, a computer lab, a counseling room, a health services unit, and conference rooms. Once fully completed, the entire project will cost over Rwf 3 billion, with the facilities inaugurated so far valued at Rwf 450 million.

During the inauguration, participants also attended the Rwanda Red Cross Annual Partnership Meeting, where they were briefed on the organization’s ongoing development projects, including a new hotel under construction at the Red Cross headquarters worth about Rwf 1 billion, along with newly completed commercial buildings.