The Beautiful Self that Lies Within

 Asiimwe Hirwa Deborah Meillah, Class of 2022

It 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. It also helped me understand the importance of taking opportunities. I stepped up to be a minister in student government and discovered a passion for serving. I also discovered that our culture limits girls pursuing what they love. With support from the Village Director, I became the school’s first girl DJ. By the time I graduated, there were three. I was the first female President of the Student Government. ASYV also gave me the opportunity to attend a UN Women event where I learned from women leading male-led industries and got to contribute my own ideas about how to help girls like me rise up.

ASYV motivated us to help those not fortunate enough be at ASYV. The education there is different than in other places and shapes Rwandan kids into critical thinkers who can develop the country and think for the future. I believe ASYV is truly important to Rwanda, to my younger sisters across the country, and to the world at large. I aim to attend university, but first I am working to start a foundation called Belle. It will help vulnerable girls who live in communities near the Village, and one day hopefully throughout Rwanda, get to know the beautiful self that lies within them.