International Christian relief agency, World Vision, has recently started a series of courses for its Rwandan staff, aimed at equipping them with skills that will enable them to carry on with World Vision's charitable activities in future.

The first phase was held with 30 members of staff, who were urged to sustain the organisation's programmes even after it stops providing direct funding.

Ari Uotila, World Vision's Programme Manager for East Africa, International and Canadian Programmes, conducted the training.

Uotila said that similar training programmes have been going on in different countries, with the organisation preparing local communities to continue managing the development activities when the NGO closes shop in their areas.

"World Vision looks at sustainability as continuation of benefits after major assistance from donors have been completed," Uotila said.

Another official said: "The aim is to equip the staff with skills and knowledge that will enable them to carry on with the programmes after World Vision."

One of the trainees, Frank Murangira, acknowledged the importance of the training, saying the skills acquired will help the participants in planning and designing viable projects.