On New Year’s Day 2019, Salem Isezerano, ASYV Class of 2023, borrowed a camera from the Village’s Media Intern, an ASYV graduate, and began snapping photos for the very first time. “I don’t know how to express it, but photography makes me feel that this is real life, and that it’s the job for me for life,” he says. “It lets me express my thoughts.”
Read MoreDon’t miss this video featuring Justin, ASYV Class of 2012; Kellen, ASYV Class of 2022; and Brunella, a second-year student. Each discusses the love for computers they discovered after arriving at ASYV and how their siblings inspired them to pursue that passion.
Read MoreThis month, at the outset of the new school year marking our 15th anniversary, we asked graduates from our first class, the class of 2012, and our most recent one, the class of 2023, to tell us about their ASYV journey.
Read MoreASYV alumni remain part of our family after they graduate—and often return to serve as role models for their younger brothers and sisters. In December, we were honored to have Frank Ntambara, ASYV Class of 2015, return to talk with our 504 current students during Village Time, our weekly talent show.
Read MoreIt takes a Village to transform a child, and ASYV truly transformed me. Before I arrived, I had never in my life enjoyed school. I tried to get approval from every person I met. I was not very conscious of the things happening around me. The Tikkun Halev process of healing the heart helped me explore myself and know who I am despite every challenge I faced in my life.
Read MoreAfter graduating from Texas Christian University, Pacifique returned to Kigali to start his career. “I felt excited about returning to Rwanda, as someone who is young and energetic, so I could contribute to all the country is building—to pay it forward,” he says.
Read MoreOne of the first students to go to ASYV, Emmanuel went from losing his parents in the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda and suffering from deep poverty to a fully-funded ASYV education and graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.
Read MoreLiliane Pari Umuhoza made the trip from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, all the way to Jerusalem, Israel to intern at The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Yad Vashem.
Read MorePeace Grace Muhizi, founder of our Female Solidarity Legacy student group, came back to ASYV from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia to continue building a legacy. She spent the summer inspiring ASYV girls through events on women’s rights, career guidance, health, and other educational topics.
Read MoreMeet Patrick Niyonshima, an alum who is achieving big things, even though he's just getting started. As one of four ASYV-alumni founders of Tikkun Olam Foundation for Entertaining Rwanda (TOFE), Patrick is focused on implementing Tikkun Olam around Rwanda by making arts and music more accessible to all.
Read MoreEach year village management undertakes an extensive survey of our graduates, travelling across Rwanda. In 2016, the team talked to 180 alumni to hear about life outside of ASYV – with incredible results. Over 80% of ASYV’s Class of 2016 graduates had secured a place at university, most of them with full or partial scholarships. The family and community values at ASYV don’t end at our gates, either: graduates continue the tradition of Family Time amongst themselves and are involved in Tikkun Olam activities.
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