ASYV Dedication
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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]
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What a WONDERFUL Day!!!
By Tina Wyatt
Today was filled with excitement and more emotion than one person can have. As one of the people who helped begin this dream, today I stand here at agahozo-shalom and it has become a reality.
There are so many that have helped make this come true. In the words of Secretary of State Clinton.. It takes a village. In our case it took a village to build a village.
To the kids of agahozo-shalom… dare to dream because here it will happen.
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View from the ASYV dedication ceremony
Today was a ‘two-fer’. It started with a beautiful and moving ceremony at the Liquidnet school. As i’ve mentioned before, we should all be so lucky to have a school as beautiful as this. The kids presented to us and they just never cease to amaze us.
This afternoon we had a ‘long’ (not by local standards i’m told) day of speeches and presentations. Representatives from literally all over the world were here expressing their thanks, appreciation and excitement. Everyone shared the same concensus that this is truly a model to be emulated globally.
I encourage everyone to come to appreciate the beauty of this place and these kids.
From Neal Goldstein
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my appreciation
i am very happy today. For i have seen this. i thank my God and i wont to say that you have done a great job. let God help you. And this project will succeed because good beginning makes good ending. keep it up every one is on your side
thanks alot
yonas solomon
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ceremony of ceremonies
To see all the ministers from the government, the governor of the Eastern Province, the ambassadors from the US and Israel all here and giving speeches in recognition of what the ASYV can do for the country was really amazing. But hearing the songs created by the kids and the skits that they put on telling their parents who passed away not to worry, they have a new family and they will be just fine, did it for me. That is the meaning of Agahozo Shalom. They said it all.
From Seth Merrin
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ASYV students perform alongside the Bat Sheva dance group from Israel
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The handprint canvas from the May 2009 “Stand Up & Be Counted” ASYV benefit in NYC, now hanging in the Safra Community Center
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The flag pole at the center of the ASYV, site of the groundbreaking on August 17, 2007
