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Youth Programs
What We Do in Youth Programs
UWEZO empowers youth with disabilities to achieve economic independence, improved wellbeing, and full participation in society through integrated interventions in work & employment, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and independent living.
In 2025, UWEZO strengthened its youth programming through large-scale partnerships and system-based approaches that address both skills development and structural barriers to inclusion.
Work & Employment
Economic Empowerment of Youth with Disabilities
In 2025, UWEZO expanded employment interventions through the YEA-R (Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture – Rwanda) Program in partnership with SNV and consortium partners, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Vocational Skills
- ✓Training in practical skills and income-generating activities
- ✓Strengthening entrepreneurship and business development
- ✓Business support and mentorship
Key Achievements
Inclusive Participation
Year 1
229
youth with disabilities enrolled (9.09%) — above the 5% target
Year 2
484
youth with disabilities (6.7%) enrolled out of 7,200 participants
This demonstrates strong progress in inclusive access to economic opportunities.
Skills Development & Capacity Building
UWEZO strengthened youth capacity through:
- ✓Training 206 youth with disabilities on entrepreneurship and financial literacy (VSLA)
- ✓Training 166 participants on Disability Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
- ✓Training 41 youth with severe disabilities and 16 personal assistants on independent living
These interventions enhanced:
- ✓Business skills
- ✓Financial management
- ✓Inclusion awareness
Assistive Devices & Accessibility
- ✓Needs assessment conducted for 204 youth with disabilities
- ✓24 youth received clinical assessments
- ✓16 youth received assistive devices, including: crutches, wheelchair, white cane, prosthesis and orthosis, eyeglasses, adapted shoes
Additionally:
- ✓Accessibility audits conducted across 84 demonstration sites
- ✓Practical recommendations implemented to improve inclusion
Market Linkages & Financial Inclusion
UWEZO facilitated:
- ✓Access-to-Market (A2M) and Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements
- ✓Direct connections with buyers, hotels, schools, and suppliers
- ✓Identification of 9 SACCOs providing youth-friendly financial services
As a result, youth:
- ✓Improved negotiation and business skills
- ✓Adopted digital payment systems
- ✓Strengthened participation in agribusiness markets
These efforts demonstrate that youth with disabilities can actively compete and succeed in economic sectors.
Professional and Academic Internship
UWEZO supports youth with disabilities who have completed secondary school or university to access professional and academic internship opportunities.
Key Interventions
- ✓Connecting graduates to internship opportunities
- ✓Supporting transition from education to employment
- ✓Building practical experience and workplace readiness
Impact
Building practical experience and workplace readiness
Improved employability and career pathways
Smoother transition from education to the workforce
Independent Living
Promoting Autonomy and Dignity
UWEZO strengthens independence and autonomy for youth with disabilities.
Health Support
Medical Treatment and Assistive Devices
- ✓Medical assessments
- ✓Referrals and treatment support
- ✓Provision of assistive devices to improve mobility and participation
Mental Health Support
- ✓Psychosocial support through trained mentors and health systems
- ✓Referral pathways for specialized care
- ✓Continuous monitoring of mental health status
Life Skills & Autonomy
UWEZO delivered training on
- ✓Independent living skills
- ✓Personal development
- ✓Self-advocacy
Additionally
- ✓41 youth with severe disabilities received specialized independent living training
- ✓16 personal assistants were trained to support high-need individuals
Community & System Support
- ✓Collaboration with health centers ensured ongoing outreach services
- ✓Strengthened referral systems for continuous care
- ✓Linked youth to community-based support structures
Impact
Through these interventions, youth with disabilities:
Gained greater independence
Improved physical and emotional wellbeing
Increased participation in education, work, and community life
Advocacy Programs
We advocate for the rights and empowerment of children and youth with disabilities by collaborating with institutions and agencies at all levels.
Uwezo Youth Empowerment (UWEZO) was established by youth with disabilities. Our mission is to promote equal access to human rights, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for children and young people with disabilities.
Through European Union funding, UWEZO and Save the Children International – Rwanda Country Office signed an agreement to implement a three-year project (2023—2026). Learn More
We advocate for access to work and employment for youth with disabilities—formal, informal, and non-formal. Learn More
We push for quality education at primary, secondary, technical schools, and universities via lobbying visits to institutions and developing position papers.
Self Advocates: We train children and youth with disabilities to become their own advocates—building a new generation of leaders.
We advocate for inclusion of children and youth with disabilities and other marginalized groups in sexual and reproductive health programs.
As the only cross-disability organization for youth with disabilities, advocacy and awareness-raising on rights is core to our operations.
We collaborate with national, regional, and international agencies to advance these goals and sustain long-lasting impact.
Become volunteer
Join our mission to make a positive Impact! As a volunteer, you will work directly within our organization to mainstream the rights of children and youth with disabilities.