ASYV Dedication
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Welcome to Agahozo-Shalom Nature Park!
Murakaza neza ku Parike Y’Umutungo Kamere W’Agahozo! What in the world does that mean? It means that you are about to enter a brand new nature park.This will be the first of several posts about a special project: a student club has adopted a piece of land and turned it into the Parike Y’Umutungo Kamere W’Agahozo.
Read the full Blog HERE!
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Happy Environment Day from Rwanda!
This past Saturday, Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village celebrated Rwanda’s Environment Day. The student Environment Club and its two staff/volunteer sponsors coordinated the day’s events, which included tree plantings, speeches, and an environmental film.ASYV started the day with over 50 students working on our new nature
park and trail and gave the inaugural tour to some visiting donors.
The nature park, Parike Y’Umutungo Kamere W’Agahozo, was envisioned by
students and features a 600 meter trail that showcases acacia, umuko,
and other native vegetation. Environment Club members marked the event
by planting four native acacia trees in the park.After lunch, the club hosted an educational event. This event
attracted more than 250 village residents, including 220+ students and
over 30 staff/volunteers. We screened “Planet Earth: Freshwater,”
viewed a presentation about water conservation from our assistant
director, and heard from three students who spoke about trees.
Following the speeches, students and staff explored environmental
issues at an interactive idea marketplace. The club sponsored a tree
giveaway so that each family could plant a tree on Environment Day.Finally, after the event, students planted a total of 30 trees in
their yards, including 7 acacia, 20 papaya, and 3 guava. Please enjoy
the pictures of our version of Earth Day! -
Follow the journeys of students visiting the Village on service-learning trips
Follow the journeys of students visiting the Village on service-learning trips:
University of Pennsylvania:
http://upennhillel.blogspot.com/2011/05/tikkun-olam.htmlTufts University:
http://tufts-in-rwanda.blogspot.com/2011/05/one-day-to-go.htmlUniversity of Wisconsin:
http://uwhillelrwanda.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/bringing-it-back/ -
Reach Out Rwanda
Learn more about Rwanda!
Read the blog here! -
In Memory of Victoire
On August 17, 2010, the Agahozo-Shalom community came together to bury our daughter and sister, Victoire, at the Rwamagana cemetery located a few miles from the Village. This was the last day that we had Victoire in our midst on this earth, but we know she will be with us, looking after us, as long as we live. Victoire was accompanied to her resting place by a loving family and left this world knowing that she was loved. Her strength and courage have been an inspiration to us all. May her soul rest in peace.
Victoire
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ASYV Founder Diary
ASYV’s founder, Anne Heyman, is at the village to prepare for the next class of kids coming to the village and to attend ASYV’s first Leadership Training Seminar (facilitated by the Liquidnet Family).
The first few days have been quite wonderful and enlightening. Anne would like to share her thoughts and insights with us all.
Please view Day 1 of Anne’s Diary:
RWANDA DIARY – Saturday October 17 2009
Today was the last day of the Leadership Training Seminar led by a team from the Liquidnet Family, our amazing amazing cadre volunteers from Liquidnet Holdings, Inc. It is hard to express in words what an incredible impact these 3 days have had on the Village management team. I think it is fair to say we are all “floating” from the experience. It was evident to me that we could all benefit from some concrete management skills; the reality of what this has meant is beyond my wildest imagination. The first, biggest and most amazing achievement was that through engaging in various exercises it became clear that above everything else we are truly a team. We believe in Agahozo-Shalom, we have the same CORE VALUES, and we care about each other and how we go about achieving our mission. While we recognize that we don’t always see things the same, we understand that if we live according to these principles, which are ours, utilizing the tools we have learned in the past few days we can act in a way that will always create the best possible outcome for the Village, its children, and for the people who have the privilege – and huge responsibility – of taking care of it and them. WOW. I am sitting in my house in the Village overlooking the beautiful green hills surrounding me – it is the raining season – and looking at the walls which are plastered with “action items” and decision making strategies from the seminar, and I feel inspired.
After 3 days of intensive work – I don’t believe anyone on the training team has gone to bed before 2 am, and the seminar started at 8:00 am – team Liquidnet headed out this morning at 6:00 am to Akagera Park to see some spectacular scenery and enjoy some African Wildlife. It is a well deserved break, although I can’t wait for them to come back and to talk to them about all the ideas I have been discussing with village staff based on what they have learned in the seminar! I think it is fair to say that the team has had an amazing experience here. They have been privileged to see and participate insome very special events at the village, including the Official Naming of the Childrens houses. After a lengthy process in which each house was asked to research recommend and choose a name for their family’s house the process was completed and the milestone celebrated in the Village’s Community Center. The process by which the names were selected is worth mentioning, as I think it tells so much about what this village is about. The children were given a list of 35 names to choose from, and asked to present on why they chose this person, how they do/can/will influence the children’s life – what qualities does this person embody that they want to “represent” their house. Every child did research and presented to their families, who then chose the names in a democratic way. The names chosen by the children were: Prince Louis Rwagasore (Prince and former Prime Minister of Burundi), Anne Frank; Alexis Kagame (Rwanda Clergyman and Philosopher, considered the first historian of Rwanda); Benazir Bhutto (former Prime Minister of Pakistan); George Washington (first President of the United States) and George Washington Carver (African American Scientist). With respect to the last 2 houses, one of boys and one of girls, there was a problem – they had voted for and settled on the same name. What is incredible is the process through which the issue was resolved.
House Naming Ceremony
Amongst themselves, the boys said they would be willing to give the name to the girls, but it would mean that they gave in at the first sign of adversity, and if they were going to meet the expectations of them at Agahozo-Shalom they needed to stand up for what they believed in, so they had to insist on getting “their” name. The girls too discussed the issue, and were willing to give the name to the boys, but they were concerned that the boys would think they were weak, and didn’t think this would be wise. So they too decided to hang on to “their” name. It was decided that a quiz would be held about the candidate (Thomas Sankara-Former President, Burkina Faso) and whoever knew the most would be able to use the name. The boys house won, and at first were very enthusiastic about their victory. Seeing how disappointed the girls were though, they toned it down and made an effort to comfort and congratulate them on their effort. Family. Treating each other they way they should. As a “mom” could you be any prouder? The girls wound up choosing Socrates as their family name. Not a bad second choice.
House Naming Ceremony
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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]
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Liquidnet CEO attends Agahozo-Shalom Inauguration
Seth Merrin, CEO, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc., and 8 colleagues attended the inauguration of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village and dedication of the Liquidnet Family High School on June 23, 2009.
Below are Seth’s reflections of his visit.
Seth Merrin, CEO, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.
By Seth Merrin, CEO, Liquidnet Holdings, Inc.
June 2009Last week eight folks from Liquidnet, including myself, went to Rwanda for the official opening of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV), a home for Rwandan orphans which the Liquidnet community has helped to build. The village actually opened in December when the first 125 orphans entered. Even though we have been involved since the inception of this project, being at the village and talking to the students, counselors and teachers had a profound effect on all of us. It put a lot of things into perspective, especially in these times. I thought I would share some thoughts with you.
With names like Innocent and Patience, every kid and counselor has a story that could best be expressed only in the goriest of horror movies.
[To read more of this post, Seth Merrin June 2009 download the PDF]