Blog
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Tikkun Olam at ASYV
by Shimon Solomon, Director of Educational Guidance
Tikkun Olam (literally, “repairing the world,” and practically, “engaging in social action”) is one of the core tenets of the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village. At the village, we decided to undertake Tikkun Olam as a central project because of the strong contribution it offers to the youth of Agahozo Shalom themselves, as well as to the surrounding communities. We believe in a well-rounded education for our youth that goes beyond simply doing well in school, but extends to being a good person who cares about others and knows how to give. The concept of Tikkun Olam is particularly important in Rwanda, given the country’s history –both as a very hospitable, and giving society (therefore ideologically aligned to this healing philosophy), but also as a wounded nation, in need of repair.
House Naming, October 2009
To have an impact on society generally, one must start with the individual. Agahozo-Shalom’s youth learn about sensitivity, love, giving, and the acceptance of people for who they are. In educating our children about the importance of being kind and giving, we are building their potential to help their country in the future. We believe that if others do the same, Rwanda will be blessed with strong leadership and a bright future. In order to ensure the success of Agahozo-Shalom’s Tikkun Olam program, we engaged in a 9-month long preparatory process to foster a deep understanding of the importance of this universal value among the staff, and even people living in the surrounding villages.
Our strategy for the Tikkun Olam project involves a four year process of gradually expanding the youth’s “Area of Service.” During their first year at Agahozo-Shalom, children focus on Tikkun Halev, or “repairing the heart.” During this time they work on building their own sense of self, identity, and confidence. During the second year, the youth begin community service in the nearby village of Rubona, where they work with school children, in the local clinic, and help local residents with basic needs. In their third year, they will begin to venture out to the larger area of the district, and finally, in their fourth year at Agahozo-Shalom, the youth will engage in Tikkun Olam throughout the country of Rwanda.
Following our first Tikkun Olam of 2010, we just received a great deal of positive feedback from the surrounding communities. We’re glad to report that the Agahozo-Shalom youth have truly internalized the concept of ‘repair’ as they continually seek for ways to help their village neighbors in whatever way possible. Our neighbors were touched by the children’s spirit and desire to share their talents and skills -for example, the nurse at the local clinic was moved to tears upon seeing how much the children wanted to help. We already look forward to the next round, you’ll certainly hear about it!