KIGALI, Rwanda \u2013 On 1 August, FAWE Rwanda reached a significant milestone in its commitment to organisational excellence with the successful completion of a five-day intensive training on Safeguarding, Financial Management, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Procurement. The comprehensive capacity-building initiative equipped staff and leadership with practical knowledge and skills designed to strengthen safeguarding, financial accountability, risk management, and overall organisational effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training, which brought together teams from across FAWE Rwanda’s operations, culminated in a certificate award ceremony recognising the dedication and achievement of all participants. This investment in human capital represented FAWE’s ongoing commitment to creating a culture of safety, accountability, transparency, and excellence across its network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The five-day training programme was meticulously designed to address multiple dimensions of organisational effectiveness, recognising that safeguarding and financial accountability were inextricably linked in creating trustworthy and impactful institutions. The curriculum covered four critical areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Safeguarding: Participants received comprehensive training on protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from abuse, exploitation, and harm. This aligned with FAWE’s commitment to creating safe environments where girls could learn and thrive free from violence and discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Financial Management: Staff were equipped with advanced skills in budgeting, financial reporting, and resource management, ensuring that funds were deployed effectively and transparently to maximise impact for the communities served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Training on ERP systems enabled more efficient and integrated management of organisational processes, from finance to human resources to programme implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Procurement: Participants learned best practices in procurement processes, ensuring value for money, transparency, and compliance with organisational and donor requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training was facilitated by two distinguished experts from the FAWE Regional Secretariat, bringing continental expertise to the country-level implementation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Crispus Natala, FAWE Africa Safeguarding Officer, brought his extensive experience in child protection and safeguarding to the training. His leadership had been instrumental in strengthening FAWE’s safeguarding frameworks across the continent, ensuring that the organisation’s commitment to safety was embedded at every level. Mr. Natala’s recent work included developing safeguarding induction programmes, drafting child protection policies for partners, and representing FAWE in high-level partnerships on child protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms. Catherine Mwangi, FAWE Africa Finance Officer, provided expert guidance on financial management, ERP, and procurement. Her participation in Mastercard Foundation finance convenings kept her at the forefront of best practices in financial stewardship. Ms. Mwangi’s expertise ensured that FAWE Rwanda’s financial systems aligned with continental standards and donor expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The training’s emphasis on safeguarding reflected FAWE’s deep commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. Across Africa, girls faced multiple threats to their safety and education, including gender-based violence, child marriage, and exploitation. By strengthening safeguarding practices at the country level, FAWE was ensuring that its programmes not only educated but also protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, the focus on financial accountability and transparency reinforced FAWE’s reputation as a trusted partner for donors and communities alike. As Ms. Teresa Omondi-Adeitan, FAWE’s Deputy Executive Director, had often emphasised, “for impact at scale, we must institutionalise and invest in proven approaches.” This training represented exactly that kind of institutional investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAWE Rwanda’s training was part of a broader network-wide commitment to strengthening organisational capacity. Across the continent, FAWE’s 34 national chapters were working to build systems and skills that enabled effective programme delivery. From safeguarding induction programmes to financial management training, FAWE was systematically investing in the people and processes that made its work possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This commitment extended to ensuring that FAWE’s work remained connected to regional and continental priorities. By equipping staff with the latest knowledge and skills, FAWE was positioning its teams to respond effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities in girls’ education and empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the 1 August ceremony concluded with the awarding of certificates, participants left with renewed confidence and capability. The knowledge and skills gained during the five-day training would be immediately applied to their work, strengthening safeguarding, financial accountability, and programme effectiveness at FAWE Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n