Challenges Facing Former Street Youth Graduating from Rehabilitation Centres in Rwanda

Abstract

This paper, based on a study carried out in Rwanda during the period 2021–2022, investigates challenges facing former street youth who  have graduated from rehabilitation centres (RCs) in Rwanda. It employed a theoretical framework grounded on empowerment and  resilience theories. A descriptive longitudinal research design used quantitative and qualitative research methods involving 433 respondents, 365 survey questionnaires distributed to former street youth, 10 group interviews comprising 66 former street youth, 5  personal interviews with former street youth, 3 group interviews with 33 youth without street life experience and 1 group interview with  20 parents, 15 personal interviews with officials, and 4 key informant interviews. The findings indicate that 66.4 percent of the  respondents lack financial support, 58 percent are not linked or connected with service providers, and 39.2 percent face family and  community mistrust. Thus, 70 percent struggle to improve their livelihoods through jobs/income-generating activities, which are different  from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills acquired from RCs, after long waits for unobtained  support, and 72.2 percent earn less than $50 per month. It was concluded that former street youth are incompletely/partially  empowered; and are not resilient in terms of the capacity to improve their livelihoods. The findings suggest that RCs should start to  involve parents, families and communities when former street youth are undertaking rehabilitation programs to collaboratively handle  issues faced by RC graduates. Immediate support after graduation, and special consideration for former street youth in job/ income- generating opportunities were highly suggested to enhance empowerment and resilience for long-lasting improvements to livelihoods  and selfreliance among former street youth.