2010
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The Short Story of a Vulnerable Widow
By NSANZUMUHIRE Francois, Class of 2012
This year in our Tikkun Olam group we worked to help a vulnerable widow. She
lost her kids and a husband in the Genocide of 1994 and she had nothing in
terms of materials, not even hope for the future, and she experienced great
loneliness. We hoed her small farm, rebuilt her toilet and her kitchen
(Inside and outside) and were able to finish all the projects.She lives nearby our home (Agahozo-Shalom), she’s very close to our
farm. Personally I learned many things from this mother and she tried
to join us in our activities even though it was too sunny and rainy and difficult for her to
work. She came often to show us the right way to hoe and while she was
doing that she inspired us by telling us long stories (imigani in
Kinyarwanda) and everyone in the group enjoyed learning from her.
We ended our Tikkun Olam activities on 12 October 2010 and said goodbye to
her. It was so sad and difficult to tell her that this was the end of our
work with her. That day, she shared with us a story about her childhood. She
said that she did the same thing for others as we were doing for her,
and that now people (us) came to help her which means that we will be repaid
in the same way in the future. She encouraged us to continue to work hard
because life is not easy, and she ended her talk by sharing sugar canes with
us from her farm and giving us a blessing: *Imana Ibahe umugisha* (May God
bless you.) After receiving her blessings we invited her to our Tikkun Olam
Event in the village, which will be held 5 November 2010, and promised that
we’d visit her in the future. -
Inauguration of ASYV Amphitheater
By: A collaboration by Elyse Tuyizere, Marie Louise Uwamahoro, Theoneste Mugwaneza, and Justin Uwase
When we arrived in the village for the 3rd term we started to prepare our event for our Amphitheater opening. For the two weeks before our event all of the families painted and cleaned the new theater. After two weeks of practice and preparation it was time for the event. August 28, 2010 at 7:00 pm the whole village came together with many guests, including kids from the Beit Alezraki youth village from Israel. To start the event our principal Wilton said welcome and introduced the event MC, Pacy. He also invited Anne and
Nir to welcome the guests. Our program included a play written by Wilton which is called, “I never found the time for crying” about Genocide. Student actors performed this true story. The play was very sad but important. There was also a fashion show, modern dance, the village choir, and the “Hip-hop Warrior” group. Emmanuel from the senior 4 class presented his art and there was also a special ceremony to honor the workers who built the theater. Their families were present too. “It was very good for me and the play made me want to improve my future” said Elyse. Theoneste said, “I saw the best singers and the played hurt my heart because it was true and very sad”. Justin said, “The event was very good because of the many visitors we had there. The
Inauguration of ASYV Amphitheater
play helped the visitors to learn about the situation we had in Rwanda”. Marie Louise wanted to end the article by sharing, “The event
was very fun for me because I see that in ASYV we have so many kids who are interesting, intelligent, and talented”. -
A Day in the Village – Anne Heyman
By: Anne Heyman, Founder
I have been in the Village now for a week and still haven’t written …I think my problem is a wealth of riches – every day there is so much that happens, so much that amazes, astonishes (and occasionally astounds) that it is very difficult to know where to begin. Last week we were honored to have one of our major donors spend some time in the Village and, despite the fact that he has constantly been kept up to date with all the major events, challenges and developments with the project he was “blown away” (if I say so myself) by all that is happening here. Together we spent a fair amount of time with our kids, and he was able to get a real sense of what life in the Village is about.
For one family time we attended a debate on whether DNA (discussion, negotiation and agreement – our way of mediating disputes and correcting mistakes in the Village) is better or worse than straight out punishment. We went to a house of 2nd year kids, who were hands down in favor of DNA and argued eloquently, in English, using many examples of how it was better. Clearly they totally understand and have internalized the concept that a person’s decision to change or correct their own behavior is far more powerful than acting in response to threats or out of fear, which is usually temporary and carries many consequences (including a terrible relationship with those who live and care for you). The second debate we attended was a house of first year kids. Clearly, there were a few who thought that punishment was so much easier, and more likely to make them do what their caretakers wanted in the quickest and easiest (for the caretakers anyway) way. They understood punishment as an effective inducement to get the desired behavior. As the argument got more and more heated, many switched to Kinyarwanda, not having the language versatility to make their points. The difference in attitudes as well as language level was obvious; I think it was also obvious that if we were to have this debate in a year, what we would hear in the second house would be significantly different.
We spent time in the school together, at family time, visiting some of the tikkun olam projects (where our kids are helping others in surrounding communities) and during meetings of various sorts. When he was leaving the donor told me that “this place is amazing….but your materials and your website don’t tell the true story of what is going on here. Somehow you need to convey how different this place is, how miraculous, what a difference it is making in every way. I often think how to describe the feeling of peace that envelopes our village. How it simply lets you “breathe deep”. How do you make tangible the atmosphere of hope, of belief in the future, of positive energy that is so strong it is truly palpable? How do you describe the incredible talents, drive and amazing openness of our children, the warmth with which they embrace every visitor to the village, and the fierceness of their love for and protection of each other? I do need to do a better job of PR; to try to find a way to convey the whole message of whom and what we are. But I think it would be better for you to come here. You can’t believe how easy it is! Just contact us – Rachel@asyv.org!
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Inauguration of Agahozo-Shalom Football Field
INAUGURATION OF THE FOOTBALL FIELD, UNFORGETTABLE DAY IN THE ASYV HISTORY!
BY: SIBOMANA Madjidi and Jean Baptasta (Football players)On Saturday, June 26, 2010, The Agahozo-Shalom Football field was inaugurated! Everyone in the village, especially the football
team, has been waiting for this unforgettable day since last year.Everyone from the village was present, including members from the Rwandan Government and local officials: Rwandan Minister of Sport and Culture , Mayor of Rwamagana District, Director of Education in Rwamagana District, Staff from the Rwandan Federation of football Association, Rwandan football team under 17 years old and visitors from surrounding communities.
Ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Minister of Sports and Culture
After the official opening of the field, every one of the head leaders showed their football talent by shooting a penalty kick.
By this inauguration of the football field, we learned of another window of the opportunity. We will use this field to develop our football talents which was impossible before this opening. Our football field will also be used for sport activities such as Athletics, Karate, Gym and hosting some public big events,…
We thank so much each one who helped in the building of this football field, each one who made his effort to make this event successful and we thank so much the Rwandan football team for the donation of 10 football balls they gave the Agahozo-shalom football team.
Agahozo-Shalom footbal team warming up
Agahozo-Shalom football team shaking hands with the Rwandan National Team
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ASYV’s Sunlight Newspaper First Edition
The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village has released its very first edition of the Sunlight Newspaper. It is filled with interviews and articles about village life. We invite you to download and share our newspaper with family and friends.
[To read the Sunlight Newspaper, download the PDF.]
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International Day of the African Child
We are Responsible
FURAHA Joyce, Family 6
by Furaha Joyce, Family 6
June 17, 2010Yesterday, we celebrated International Day of the African Child. The history of this day dates back to the events that took place in Soweto, South Africa during Apartheid. In 1976 many children marched the streets to protest the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young boys and girls were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand were injured. We recognize this day because we honor their memory and it is a reminder that we must protect our children. When we remember the children of Soweto, we look at our Rwandan history and honor the many children that were also killed here during the genocide.
To commemorate, we had an amazing program. There were traditional dance performances, modern dances, many kids performed songs, and after we all ate special foods because it was a special event. In the dinning hall there was a banner that read, “Planning for the wellbeing of our children is a collective responsibly.” I think this banner was speaking to our village elders, but I believe that we are also responsible for making bright futures for ourselves. This means I must study very hard in school and support my brothers and sisters in the village. When I graduate I want to help the children in Rwanda who do not have parents or money. I want to provide them hope for a good life.
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Thoughts from a Tufts University Student
ASYV offers such a multidimensional experience. With this trip I saw so many perspectives of the country and was able to analyze and process these perspectives thoroughly. Not only do you get to be a part of something so crucial to Rwanda’s future but you also are able to extensively learn about it’s past, something so important in making the most of your experience. I have participated in many short-term service trips in the past and ASYV was by far the most meaningful experience. If one is looking for a service-learning trip ASYV is the way to go
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Tufts University Hillel visits ASYV
21 incredible students from Tufts University just returned from the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village after spending 10 days volunteering, exploring, learning, hiking, homework-helping and dancing in Rwanda! The trip began with 2 days in Kigali where the students learned about some of Rwanda’s history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial . They got to see a bit of the hills of Kigali as they toured the city, catching glimpses of the Department of Defense, the Hotel Milles Collines, and even President Kagame’s own motorcade.
From Kigali, the group headed to the Eastern Province to settle into their new homes at Agahozo-Shalom’s guest houses, overlooking the village farm.
They were treated to a tour of the sprawling village before diving into their service work. Four months of hard work and networking in the US paid off; the Tufts group was able to fundraise over $5000 to build seating around the village’s sports fields. In two short weeks, this seating will be filled with spectators from across Rwanda, coming to cheer on the National Football Team as they inaugurate the new field and pay thanks to Tufts efforts on behalf of the village.
Tufts Students at the Farm
Working side by side with local construction crews, the Tufts students carried rocks and cement in the hot morning sun to help ensure the project would be completed in time for this occasion. As they worked, the group learned Kinyarwandan phrases and shared laughs with their fellow workers. The Tufts students shared meals with the entire village, mingling with different groups of students as they chatted over family style meals of plaintains, farm fresh greenbeans, white sweet potatoes or sorghum breakfast porridge.
In the afternoons, the Tufts students volunteered in the after school program, learning traditional dance and crafts alongside the Agahozo-Shalom students, and challenging them to friendly games of football, volleyball and basketball.
The group joined in other village activities as well, taking part of the evening Family Time discussions held in each ASYV family.
Beyond the village, the Tufts students explored the nearby town of Rubona and haggled prices for pineapples, cloth and avocado at the market.
Before boarding their flight back to the United States, the Tufts group brainstormed ways to continue their support of the village and ensure that the connections that they had built – both with individual students and with the village as a whole – would endure.
Plans are already underway for Agahozo-Shalom events in the fall at Tufts, including the second annual Race4Rwanda, to be held next November!
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Environment Week
This week in the village we celebrated our environment. We had a guest speaker and the Environment Club organized a community trash and litter clean-up. We learned how important it is to protect the land we live on and the animals and plants we live with. We learned to be aware of our human imprint. In our geography class we learned that disturbing natural habitats and cutting down bushes causes erosion. In our weekly Wednesday night debate we discussed this topic. Is it better to cut down trees and bush to get food or to let it grow naturally around us? My opinion is that we should allow our plants to grow because they supply the oxygen that keeps us alive! Many girls in my family said that you can’t cut the bush because it provides shelter for other animals as well. We all did agree that it is okay to plant trees to get fruits from them and we are very proud of our Agahozo-Shalom farm!
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International Kigali Peace Marathon
by Barrie Adleberg, Art Enrichment Program Volunteer
Sunday, 5:30 am, I stumbled out of my bed. My brain, still in hibernation mode, couldn’t process the excitement of my body as I tripped over the clothes I had set out the night before. It was Marathon time! 20 eager, committed young runners from our village
joined thousands of others in Kigali to compete in the 6th annual International Peace Marathon. 2 of our boys ran in the 21 km race (half marathon), 4 children and 4 staff ran the fourth marathon (myself included), and 14 came for the 5 km “run for fun”. A cadre of runners in the 5 km race chanted and clapped, setting the tempo for the run. Slogans like, “J’ TAIME, I LOVE YOU!” and “GO MAMA GO!” filled the air with encouragement. The full marathon runners zoomed past me like the wily coyote and left me questioning how some bodies are capable of such physical rigors. As I approached the finish line in the national futbol stadium, I thought my legs were going to give out under me. But the momentum from the crowd’s cheers and my desperate longing to end my misery were just the push I needed. Annette one of our Senior 4 kids was the first female competitor to finish the 5 km race! Even with the sun relentlessly beating on our backs, we all finished in stride with a real sense of personal accomplishment. The runners were each given a t-shirt, a packet of biscuits, water, and a banana. After my heart rate caught its normal beat, I sat in the shade of the bleachers. François, one of our 21km runners came up to me and urged I share his biscuits. I insisted that I had just finished some and he should enjoy. “NO!” he said, determined to get me to eat. Then he said something that will stay with me for a very long time, “I got an extra packet and if we are lucky enough to have, we must share. That is humanity.” I was so moved that I ate the biscuit. And as I watched him offer his remaining crackers to the strangers around him I was reminded how truly special our children are.
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