Photo Start successfully completed its second cohort in partnership with Hand’s of Mother’s. The program had 23 graduates after running for 2 months and 2 weeks from the 16th of January 2023 to the 30th of March 2023. The students' eagerness to learn and dedication throughout the Photo Start program hosted at Club Rafiki, Nyarugenge District - Kigali – Rwanda, the program partner hub, was impressive.

The students were taught the Photo Start visual storytelling and basic business curriculum during the program. It was crucial for them to learn the basics of business and how to handle social media professionally, which would equip them to build a brand and become more knowledgeable.

It is worth noting that some of the students were already employed, while others were still in university. When asked about their experience with the program, they expressed satisfaction, stating that the skills they learned and the certificate they received would equip them to find employment in various places.

Hand’s of Mother’s. is a non-profit organization that empowers women in Honduras, South Africa, and Rwanda by providing them with education, skills, and opportunities. They aim to promote gender equality and reduce poverty by providing vocational training and mentorship. In 2009, Hands of Mothers began a collaboration with the Rwandan HIV/AIDS organization, WE-ACTx - Women’s Equity in Access to Care and Treatment - to develop income generation opportunities for their beneficiaries. WE-ACTx was created in early 2004 in response to the need to provide access to antiretroviral therapy for the survivors of genocidal rape in Rwanda. Our experience in Rwanda has shown that education and income generation are central to physical and psychological well-being, as illustrated in partnership with Photo Start, allowing them to expand their impact by including visual storytelling and basic business curriculum in our training offerings.

In conclusion, the partnership between Photo Start and Hand’s of Mother’s has provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain essential skills and knowledge that will help them in their personal and professional lives. Hands of Mother has expanded its impact through this program, while Photo Start has furthered its mission of empowering youth through photography.