Samenvatting

Take a chance to help people living in poverty!
In 2016 and 2017; I conducted two different research projects in Gitega, Kigali-Rwanda. Gitega is a neighborhood in Kigali-Rwanda where sanitation services, supply of clean water, reliable electricity, timely law enforcement, maintenance of housing, transportation, waste recollection and other basic services are insufficient. Gitega is what we call an informal settlement. Recognized from previous research in the same area is that the youth and its poor future opportunities are considered as one of the key factors to address ameliorate processes in the neighborhood. Hence, the youth in Gitega is the central focus of this research. Causes for poor job opportunities are addressed, situation of unemployment in informal settlements is described and the link with subjects as crime and health issues are further explored for the realization of precise recommendations for initiatives to improve the opportunities for the young people in Gitega.
The research is executed for the College of Science and Technology, part of the University of Rwanda and for the social enterprise Urban Sustainability of Rwanda LTD. The enterprise’s focus is concerned with community needs and stimulates development from household to city level. It uses rural spaces to improve poor urban areas and to create urbanize rural places. The importance for the enterprise was to receive consistent and reliable recommendations from me (the researcher) regarding to the causes of youth unemployment in Gitega and to identify the critical success factors and barriers for initiatives to improve youth employment in Gitega neighborhood. This resulted in the following central research question: What are the most effective approaches to increase youth employment in the informal settlement Gitega, Kigali-Rwanda?  
After completion of this project, I asked myself the question: “Did I find all desired answers to decrease the youth unemployment level in Gitega immediately”: The answer is obviously No. However, I would like to emphasize here that conducting this project was an extremely valuable personal experience for me. I have started to understand a bit of what life in a Slum is like for the unemployed, and what the people in this situation are aspiring.  This is a priceless experience which will help me in the future to design practical projects together with the people, community organizations and the government to realize improvements for the entire community. For an extensive description I recommend reading the entire thesis. If you are interested after reading this summary or thesis in an impressive adventure abroad and if you are inspired to support a group of people living in poverty by doing research during your (graduate) internship and find solutions together with me, local experts and the people of Gitega. Contact me then by e-mail or phone. Your support will be highly appreciated, and you will go through life changing experiences.
Sincerely yours,
Marijn van Rossum
E-mail address: marijnvanrossum@live.nl Phone number: +31630303807