Dear Friends,

On September 24, we joyfully welcomed our 13th class of Enrichment Year students to the Village. During their two-week orientation, the new students' creativity flourished and the kids built the groundwork for bonds that will last a lifetime.

Newly equipped with digitized syllabi and projectors, the Liquidnet Family High School welcomed all of our students into its classrooms on October 11, for the first time in three months. There was a familiar buzz of anticipation from both the teachers and students as Principal Stella Wayianzuvuko delivered her opening remarks.

Now, excitement mounts as we look towards our first student government elections since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also find gratitude and hope emanating through the Village. After two difficult years, our students, and the magic they bring, are back.

Your support made this moment possible. We are pleased to share these updates from the Village with you and include you in our ASYV family.

Sincerely,

Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura

Executive Director, Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

The Student Government President Looks Back

"There is no such thing anymore as a girl cannot lead because a girl has led and girls are still leading."

In October 2019, the Village held its annual student government elections. Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, the elected students would go on to serve for two years, through a global pandemic and school closures. On the eve of the 2021 elections, we asked the outgoing student government president, Deborah Meillah Asiimwe, to reflect on her tenure—an unprecedented one due both to its length and to the fact that she is the Village’s first female student president.

In the beginning of my journey as president, there were different mindsets about girls in leadership, and it was very challenging to prove to everyone that girls really can lead. But there is no such thing anymore as a girl cannot lead, because a girl has led, and girls are still leading. Many other girls are now running for the president position.

I also got a broader perspective about leadership while serving as president. During the first COVID lockdown, the student government was initially not expected to work, but my fellow leaders and I saw that the students needed us—and each other—more than ever. We worked on a project called the ‘We Care Initiative,’ speaking to students often to give them advice and address their problems or bring their problems to Village staff so they could help. These problems included ‘period poverty’ and other issues like accessing food and healthcare.

We didn't want the Village's spirit of togetherness to fade away while we were so far apart, so we organized a virtual Village Time to premiere on YouTube. We also worked on many other projects to advocate for fellow students. We wanted to increase their wellness and make sure there were no limits to their opportunities and that they felt heard.

I hope all goes well with the election and am really excited for the new team. I just ask them to believe in themselves, take up new challenges, and learn from those who have been there before them. Also, do not be scared. You will either succeed or learn from the experience. There is no such thing as failure.

ASYV’s New kids arrive

An interview with Habiyaremye Kayitare

On September 24, our new cohort of 128 Enrichment Year (EY) students arrived at ASYV. Following a day packed full of performances and ice-breaker activities, our new students settled into their ASYV families. During the rest of their two-week orientation, the students learned about ASYV's founding, core values, and mission and about what their academic and home lives will be like for the next four years. At the end of the orientation, one of the new students, Habiyaremye, sat down with us to discuss his experiences in the Village so far.

Q: What were the highlights of your first two weeks in the Village?

A: Everything was a surprise. The way the older students welcomed us, sang for us, and served us lunch. The way I am living with my family. How my new mama is treating me. How the big siblings are giving us advice. I liked it all. It's so amazing!

Q: What has excited you most about ASYV?

A: All activities here in ASYV are so exciting to me, especially playing football with friends. Even though the enrichment programs are not yet open, I am excited because I like playing guitar and photography. Those are the things I will be trying first.

Q: What are some of your goals for your time here at ASYV and beyond?

A: I have so many. There are so many opportunities waiting for me here. If I work hard, I know I will have a good future and speak English better than I am right now. In the coming days, I want to stand in front of everyone and share my feelings about ASYV.

Q: Would you want to share them with us?

A: It is a dream. When they told me about ASYV, I was so surprised. Even then, I didn't count on coming, but when I was told I would join the students, well, it felt amazing. This is a place of learning, a place to make friends, a place with loving people. It is a place of so many good things.

The educational resilience program begins

Hear from the first participants in ASYV's first initiative with national reach

Agahozo-shalom youth village presents:

Village Time

ASYV's annual gala will be Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

Join us as we honor Jean-Claude "JC" Nkulikiyimfura for his service to the Village as ASYV's executive director.

To register for Village Time or to make a donation to ASYV, visit our Event Site

Options to attend virtually or in person at Chelsea Piers – Pier Sixty – New York City