Posts from July, 2009
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Founder Anne Heyman at Agahozo-Shalom for Inauguration
Hello again from the beautiful hills of Rwamagana, home of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. It is 7:15 in the morning and as I sit outside drinking my coffee (3rd cup of the day already) I am watching the children as they walk up to start their day at the Liquidnet Family High School. Today is the first day of exams – the end of second semester. It is amazing that the children are finished with half of their first year at Agahozo-Shalom.
Last night I visited with one of the families during “Family Time”. Family time is the hour between 9 and 10 at night when all the children get together with their counselor and house mother and either just discuss the day’s events, topics of interest or on occasion have someone come in and talk to them about an important issue. I thought perhaps they would not want me to come, or spend that much time but they were, as always, very pleased to see me and very welcoming. In fact one of the young men from the house came to “pick me up” at my house, just to make sure I knew where I was going! For the first night before examinations the house was remarkably calm; it was apparent to me that for most of the children, as ambitious as they are, had the examinations in the right perspective. Our topics of conversation as always were all over the place – questions about where I come from, how I live. They all wanted to come and visit me in New York until I told them I live on the 16th floor….most didn’t think they could even visit, let alone sleep, in a building that high above the ground.[To read more of this post, Founder in Rwanda June 2009 download the PDF]
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ASYV Opening
By Roy Ardizzone
My first impression of Rwanda was its striking beauty, but the evidence of a nation struggling to survive hides itself within its own beauty.
The long and bumpy red dirt road leads to these welcoming, colorful gates of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village…and our journey for the day began!
The view was breathtaking. On a sparkling, clear day with splendid sunshine, we all gather, overlooking the village and the picturesque Lake Mugesera. You can see the children’s smiles and feel the warmth of their happiness. With the village as a perfect backdrop, ASYV students sing to welcome us and prepare for the opening of the high school.
Cheers and applause rang out from the students and staff as the Liquidnet Family High School mosaic was unveiled and the school was officially open.
The colorful mural painted by the students welcomes you to the Edmond J Safra Community Center.
During the official ribbon cutting ceremony, these talented students presented a traditional Rwandan dance to highlight the rich culture and history of the country.
After a day of openings and welcoming speeches by distinguished guests, the Batsheva Dance Company gave a unique closing performance. The company traveled from Tel Aviv to spend a week at ASYV teaching workshop classes at the village.
The dinner table brings together everyone at the end of the evening to reflect on the day, to exchange stories, and to be thankful for this wonderful village.
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JDC attends Agahozo-Shalom Inauguration
By William Recant, Assistant Exec. Vice President, JDC
June 23, 2009
Agahozo-Shalom InaugurationThe voices of singing children spread through the community center with power and pride as the inaugural ceremonies for the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) commenced last Tuesday, June 23. After weeks of preparation by the students and staff of the village, some 500 guests and honorees attended the highly anticipated formal ceremonies. In attendance were some of Rwanda’s principal dignitaries including several Ministers, the United States Ambassador, the Israel Ambassador, the Governor of the Eastern Province, and international visitors from Europe, Israel and North America.
As the senior project manager for Agahozo-Shalom from JDC, I had the privilege of being at this event with several of my colleagues who have been working for ASYV for the past two years. Nora Barron of the JDC Board of Directors returned to see the completion of the project that she had first witness fourteen months earlier when a delegation of the Board of the JDC came to see the construction site of the village. During the ceremony Nora addressed the gathering on behalf of the JDC and the Board of Directors. “From our Board members to our entire staff,” she acknowledged, “the JDC is so very proud to be part of the team which has created, constructed and will manage the village in its formative years.”
[To read more of this post, JDC in Rwanda June 2009 download the PDF]