PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama
Founded in 2008, the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama is a leading vocational school in the Bugesera district of Rwanda, near the genocide memorial site of Ntarama. In cooperation with Grünhelme e.V., the PATRIZIA Foundation built a dormitory for teenagers and young adults at the Nelson Mandela Education Center for Apprentices (NMEC). The building, which is directly attached to the vocational school, was officially opened by President Paul Kagame, underlining the importance of the facility for the inland East African country. Ntarama was one of the places severely affected during the Rwandan genocide and the psychosocial and economic impact of this event is still felt.
The rural area is known for its historical challenges and its subsequent reconstruction. The school offers training opportunities in professions such as electrical engineering, metalwork, tailoring, welding, bricklaying, hairdressing and has already trained more than 1,500 young adults.
„We at the Volkswagen Employee Foundation want to create the basis for a better future by investing in education and sustainable technologies. The PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama in Rwanda shows how young people are given new opportunities through practical training and renewable energies.”
Angela Kaspar,
Chairwoman of the Board, Volkswagen Empoyee Foundation
From emergency aid to future sustainability
After the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the school ran into serious financial difficulties as it became challenging for parents to pay the school fees. School fees are standard in almost all of Africa, even at state schools. Therefore, the PATRIZIA Foundation launched the Corona Fund Education Healthcare Emergency Relief Fund to support the school with teacher salary payments, the purchase of food for students and the purchase of corona prevention measures.
The PATRIZIA Foundation supports the school with the implementation of the foundation’s long-term initiative “Ready for the Future” project to digitize teaching and prepare for the job market. In 2021, construction of a computer room with digital equipment, including computers, printers and projectors, was facilitated. To ensure the sustainability of the initiative, the foundation worked with the PartnerAfrika project, an initiative of the Handwerkskammer Koblenz, to repair the school’s broken solar system, which is essential for powering the computer room and securing the digital equipment. This measure was successfully completed in 2022.
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Pioneer in technical and vocational training
In 2023, the Foundation continued its collaboration with the PartnerAfrica project to organise practical workshops on the maintenance and repair of the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Centre’s solar system. This initiative aimed to provide a select group of students and teachers with the necessary skills to effectively maintain and service their solar system. In addition, with the help of the Rwandan IT company Zatec, training courses were held in the first quarter of 2023 that taught important digital skills. This has enabled the school to not only harness the potential of the powered ICT room and digital devices, but also to build an online presence and use social media to promote and showcase their school projects, which range from construction, welding and electrical work to fashion design.
This will not only benefit the school and the trainees in this important sector of the African economy, but also social institutions in the area. This range of courses will position the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center as a pioneer for technical and vocational training in Rwanda and throughout East Africa.
Another important project was implemented in 2024: an electricity storage system to store and utilise around 70% of the energy generated but not directly used. The installation of the electricity storage system has minimised energy losses and reduced the financial burden of rising energy costs. This helps the school to ensure a sustainable and climate-neutral power supply.
The procurement of solar batteries, the provision of training on the optimal use of the solar system and support with installation will strengthen the school’s energy storage capacity.
Project Visit to Rwanda Accelerates Solar Training Initiative
In May 2025, our project manager Diego Arzabe travelled to Rwanda for a project visit. The primary focus of the trip was to ensure the high-quality implementation of the ongoing project and to prepare the next stage of development towards establishing a Centre of Excellence for solar technology.
On site, it became clear: the current FastTrack course has been successfully launched, all materials are in place, and the training is being delivered in a practical, competency-based manner. The quality of implementation was evident not only in the completeness and readiness of the technical equipment, but especially in the engaging, interactive teaching methods, the motivation of the trainees, and the expertise of the trainer team. Discussions with local stakeholders confirmed that the hands-on approach of the course is working well and is actively supported by both students and instructors. The learning environment was focused, and the teaching student-centred – featuring group work, research assignments, and strong learner participation.
Additional networking meetings with companies from the sector and an official visit from a delegation of the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) further strengthened the position of the training centre.
A particular highlight: the school was officially invited to participate as the sole solar training institution at a national education fair – a strong sign of recognition and another step towards becoming a true Centre of Excellence.
Stories of Change in Ntarama
Daniel’s Story of Change
Daniel knew early on that he wanted to take his future into his own hands. At the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center in Ntarama, he initially began training in the industrial field. Over time, however, he developed a desire to further his skills and specialize in a forward-looking area. Today, he is advancing his training in solar systems. Working with renewable energy inspires him—not only from a technical perspective but also because of its importance for his country.
As part of our “Path to Excellence” program, Daniel was selected for a one-year training in Ghana. There, he is deepening his expertise and gaining valuable hands-on experience. This training is intended to prepare Daniel to become a solar trainer at the Vocational Training Center, where he can pass on his knowledge to young people and create lasting positive change.
As one of five siblings, he takes on responsibility and thinks long-term. In his free time, he finds balance through volleyball—team spirit and cooperation are important to him, both on the court and in his professional life.
Angelique’s Story of Change
Angelique has always wanted to understand how technology can contribute to creating sustainable change in people’s lives. After completing her training in industrial electricity, she decided to further expand her knowledge and specialize in a forward-looking field.
Today, she is deepening her expertise in solar energy at the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama. There, she focuses on how solar technology can be improved and meaningfully integrated into existing systems. As the only girl in her class, she not only holds her own – she is even the top student, proving that competence is not a question of gender.
Growing up with three brothers and one sister, Angelique learned early on to forge her own path and assert herself in a dynamic environment. In the on-site dormitory, she finds the structure she needs to fully concentrate on her training.
Isaac’s Story of Change
Isaac grew up with six siblings in a region where future opportunities are not a given. Early on, he knew he wanted to forge his own path and take responsibility for his life. He first completed a training in electrical engineering and then decided to deepen his knowledge in solar technology at the PATRIZIA Vocational Training Center Ntarama. His goal is clear: he wants to work in the solar energy sector – not only as a skilled professional, but also as an employer who implements his own projects and offers other young people new opportunities.
The training center in Ntarama provides him not only with technical skills, but also with a sense of security for the future. Isaac is a role model for a generation of young people who are actively contributing to the rebuilding and sustainable development of their country through practical training and renewable energy.
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Your contribution:
Donate to help maintain the workshops and technical equipment at the school. 100% of your donation will reach Rwanda! With a new solar energy storage system, the school can also supply the nearby hospital with electricity.