Eight young women and two men (coaches from the Rwandan Triathlon Federation) passed the final technical and practical exams under the supervision of Sean Belfast—head mechanic for the Rwandan Cycling Federation and the Tour of Rwanda—who had also guided the group during their final weeks of preparation. The project clearly attracted a great deal of interest.
The graduation ceremony took place in the presence of local authorities and officials from various federations, followed by a cheerful shared meal after the formal proceedings.
It was a resounding success for an innovative and ambitious project that enables graduates to fill significant gaps in the cycling sector, whether in competitive racing or cycle tourism. In fact, the top female mechanics were immediately hired by bicycle shops and workshops in Kigali, and internship opportunities were also promised.
Taking place outside Kigali, the project presented a formidable challenge that was successfully met through sheer courage and determination. Now, the task is to draw lessons from this first cohort—specifically regarding participant discipline and preparation for life after technical training, particularly in terms of interacting with customers and tourists through language skills (French and/or English).
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