The First Lady was addressing about 600 youth from across the country who gathered for the “Youth Forum Series,” at Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo.

The meeting was organized by Imbuto Foundation of which the First Lady is the founder and Chairperson.

She remarked that challenges that the youth face, including drug abuse and teen pregnancies, need to be discussed collectively.

“Excessive use of drugs and teen pregnancies are both a public health concern and family’ challenge,” she said.

The forum was held in partnership with UNFPA, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

Under the theme; “Raising a Healthy Generation,” the forum was among others attended by UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator, Fode Ndiaye, who challenged Rwandan youth to grab opportunities available to them.

“You are lucky to have a caring government. Do not take that for granted. Use and create opportunities,” he said.

The State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Edouard Bamporiki, in his remarks, also reminded the youth that patience and focus could help them achieve their dreams.

“Trends are temporary. Be patient and focus on your goals, it will eventually pay,” he said.

The forum also saw KOICA Country Director Lee Byung Hwa who emphasized a commitment to strengthen their efforts to partner in tackling drug abuse and teen pregnancies.

Seven hundred projects applied for the awards, 40 were chosen and 10 won to be shortlisted to three best projects. Winners were rewarded with USD 10,000 as seed capital to expand their projects.

Launched in 2016, Innovation Accelerator (iAccelerator) is a mentorship-driven acceleration programme, supporting young entrepreneurs with financial assistance and skills to generate innovative solutions in response to sexual and reproductive health challenges.

According to the national police, 70 percent of crimes committed in Rwanda are related to drug abuse. Over 17, 000 teenage girls were impregnated in 2019.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame has urged youth to make right choices and avoid drug abuse adding that making the right decisions

The meeting was organized by Imbuto Foundation of which the First Lady is the founder and Chairperson

The forum was held in partnership with UNFPA, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Youth and Culture

The State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Edouard Bamporiki reminded the youth that patience and focus could help them achieve their dreams.

Winners were rewarded with USD 10,000 as seed capital to expand their projects.