While school is closed and our kids are home, they've been keeping themselves busy with art, music, dance, and poetry. Passions nourished at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village are helping our kids stay hopeful and engaged during the long months until they can come back to the Village. Check out some of the creative pieces our students have made during their time at home on our highlight video and in the blog post below.

Dance

• Choreographer: Kageruka Nziza Aime, Umurage Grade Class of 2020* - Full Video 

• Choreographer: Muhire King Lore, Inganji Grade Class of 2023 - Full Video 

Music

• Artist: Gatete David, Ishyaka Grade Class of 2023

  Song Title: Brave Heart & Titanic Compilation Cover - Full Video 

Photography

• Photographer: Deborah Mukeshimana, Ishyaka Grade Class of 2023

"[In this photo] I just wanted to show that I can take a photo [with my phone] and not wait until I have a camera." 

Artwork

• Artist: Shema Placide, Umucyo Grade Class of 2021

Title: The Strength of Women

"It genuinely shows how women do what they can to develop their child. It happens in real life from those with wealth and those that are very poor. Those who don't have shelter to hide themselves when it is raining and those who don't have clothes to wear or to do it for their child. That's something that has pushed me to draw it when I saw it." 

• Artist: Serge Ndisanze, Umucyo Grade Class of 2021

Title: Stand Up Girls

“I’ve seen that sometimes girls meet a lot of challenges…. This is what inspired me to make this painting.

After I saw this happen, and was outraged about girls not feeling confident to overcome challenges, I made this painting to let girls know, YES YOU CAN!”

• Artist: Cyuzuzo Wivine, Ishyaka Grade Class of 2022

  Title: Feelings

  "This first work of mother and the baby, it shows some love feelings. What inspired me to create, is my neighbor who was playing with her baby and it was kind and funny. It has made me feel more merciful."

  Title: Self Perception

  "This is one side of home and I was sitting on the balcony then I feel lonely after, draw it for increasing the experience of what I see."

• Artist: Kageruka Wilson, Umucyo Grade Class of 2021

  Title: Guicel

  “She is named Guicel, and she is one of my best friends. She deserves the best gift in life. This was the gift I prepared for her as a birthday wish. I made this in COVID-19 times.”

  Title: Liz Stern

  “This was made for her about 5 days before Isonga graduation. This is dedicated to the new mother of ASYV due to her being the new Board Chair! This was my way of welcoming her to the Village.”

  Title: Nadia

  “Nadia, my best friend in Isonga Grade. I made this for her as a graduation gift, she was my fan, advisor and motivator in the village.”

Title: Gihanga Ngomijana

“Rwanda’s first king ever in history, Gihanga Ngomijana, the one who expanded Rwanda. I made this just for the sake of winding back in history! I love history and this is my way of expressing my feelings.”

• Artist: Angelo Kigenza, Umucyo Grade Class of 2021

  Title: Stare to Your Soul

  “Close your eyes and stare at your soul, for that's the gold hidden in you.”

  Title: The Alpha Wolf

  “No man makes it alone just as the strength of a wolf is it's pack and the strength of the pack is the wolves, getting together can forever change our lives.”

  Title: The Beautiful Rose

  “Calling her beautiful makes one think that something as simple as how she was born is the most important, yet forgetting to tell her the true fact that she is smart and strong.”

Title: Tree of Life

“To the perfect imperfection of nature, yet beautifully giving nature the beauty of life and beauty of the eye.”

• Artist: Niyonzima Levis, Umurage Grade Class of 2020

Title: Spider Insect

“I just mean there is no limit. If an insect like a spider can, why can’t I?”

Title: Avocado

"Avocados never choose the tree to grow on. Even us we never choose the family we will get but we all grow up."

• Artist: Alain Muhire, Inganji Grade Class of 2023

  • Check out Alain’s digital art here.

Poetry

• Artist: Blaise Cyusa, Umucyo Grade Class of 2021

  Title: Black Lives Matter

• Artist: Ngoga Uwizeye Sandra, Umurage Grade Class of 2020

  Title: Be That Kind of Person (Click here for live reading by Sandra)

  Title: Beauty Redefined (Click here for live reading by Sandra)

  Title: Dear Love (Click here for live reading by Sandra)

Title: You Destroyed Me For Real (Click here for live reading by Sandra)

*Note: Graduation years listed reflect originally scheduled graduation date.