Kigali Today LTD hands basic media skills to local cooperatives

The Kigali Today Ltd Managing Director Charles Kanamugire (Left) and PSF’s Jean de Dieu Gakuba (Right) awarding a certificate to one of the trainees

Kigali Today Ltd, a local media organization has embarked on a campaign to bring pass-on media practices to cooperatives as a tool to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

The training is offered by Kigali Today Ltd in collaboration with Work Force Development Authority (WDA) and Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF).

Since September last year, Kigali Today Ltd has been conducting a comprehensive training of local cooperatives’ members on how to effectively use media skills in developing and designing projects.

The first phase started from 2-27^th September, while the second one lasted between November 6-3^th December and the last phase started from 9^th December and ended on January 9 this year.  The three phases saw 90 people benefitting from the training.

Awarding ceremony

It was all smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries last Friday as Kigali Today Ltd, WDA and PSF officials and the graduates gathered at La Pallisse Hotel in Gasabo District to witness the official awarding ceremony of certificates to the trainees.

The graduates received certificates of merit following training on how to effectively use media as a tool of development and marketing products.

In a series of testimonies from beneficiaries, the training was worth a University degree in the field of media.

For Honore Irankunda, one of the beneficiaries, the training not only provided him basic skills but further opened doors for him.

Having attended the training with no skills in IT and media, Honore is growing into an upcoming entrepreneur in the field of media and ICT.

Speaking at the ceremony, Irankunda said that with only a month-long training, he gained skills that enabled him to start-up a website with the help of Kigali Today trainers.

“I didn’t know anything about media and ICT. But as a result of this training, I started up a website (www.icyogajuru.com). I am tirelessly working hard to develop this website into an income generating one like other media websites,” said Irankunda amidst smiles.

“We see Kigali Today Ltd as a public mirror. It is the only media organization I have seen that descends to local population and teach them how to develop their projects,” he added.

Bernard Mutijima, a Kigali Today official who led the training course said that among the skills offered include; News gathering, advertising as well as the use of journalistic tools in preparing audio news and programmes.

Mutijima said that while every section of trainees received the skills within a space of one month, what they were taught takes four years at the University.

“This was due to enthusiasm, commitment and experience that characterized Kigali Today staff during the training.”

Jean de Dieu Gakuba, the head of training and development in Rwanda Private Sector Federation challenged beneficiaries to put the skills they received into good use for effective development of their projects.

“I have no bias to tell you that PSF is a parent to all entrepreneurs. It operates in a favourable environment and has good leadership. Make sure you gain from these skils.”

Charles Kanamugire, the managing editor of Kigali Today Ltd empasised that such trainings not only offer skills to beneficiaries but also build a strong bond between them and create a sense of working together.