Dear Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village Family,

This past week should have been a joyous one. On July 7, we had planned to hold our ninth graduation ceremony — a celebration of the Umurage Grade and all they have achieved in their four years in the Village.

Unfortunately, with cases of Covid-19 rising significantly in Rwanda, the Rwandan Ministry of Education ordered schools to close on July 2. Faced with this new challenge, we quickly mobilized to prepare our students to leave the Village once again.

The Village is quiet now. Only 120 fourth-year students remain, studying to take the Rwandan national exams later this month. Having expected a graduation celebration, they are disappointed. But mostly, they are relieved that they could remain in the Village to prepare for their exams, as planned.

"I had bittersweet feelings. I was bitter because I was expecting to celebrate with my friends and family and this was going to be my first graduation, which I have been waiting for for so long. On other hand, it was fine. With graduation, we would risk people getting infected and would have to limit others coming and celebrating to the fullest." - Patrick Gisubizo

While we wish we could celebrate our students and their achievements at graduation, our highest priority is to safeguard them and their futures as they prepare for their national exam.

"I was impatiently waiting for the day of my graduation on July 7, but when I found out that it was not going to happen as planned due to Covid-19, I had to accept it. I still have hope that someday my family will see me graduating." - Katya Atete

I want to extend my deepest congratulations to the Umurage Grade, both for their achievements and their great resilience. I am incredibly proud of this remarkable group of young people for their strength during this difficult year. I look forward to gathering again as a family to celebrate their hard work and the challenges they have overcome. Until that is possible, we, as a family, will find other meaningful ways to mark this important rite of passage for this extraordinary class, who, from their first days at ASYV in December 2016, have given so much to the Village. I know they will go on to give so much more to their community and beyond.

We welcome your well wishes to the graduates and will be happy to share your messages of hope with them.

Thank you for continuing to be there for our kids.

Sincerely,

Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura, Executive Director