What Family Means in the Village
Amata embraces her godmother, Mama Clarisse
A Mother's Day
Our Village families are at the heart of what makes our Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) model of healing and love unique. And at the heart of each Village family is its ASYV Mama. Our live-in staff Mamas provide their student families with the guidance and emotional support they need to thrive. Some of our Mamas have biological children who attend ASYV. Among them is Mama Clarisse, Mama of the boys’ Cyprien Rugamba Village family. Mama Clarisse’s biological daughter, Bimenyimana Uwicyeza Eline, was part of the ASYV Class of 2019—and is now enrolled at University of Rwanda. Mama Clarisse’s goddaughter Amata Belyse, who came to live with her full time in 2019, is a current second-year, or S4, student at ASYV. We asked Amata to sit down with Mama Clarisse.
A: How was your day, Mama?
C: It was so good. I am doing okay and school was good.
A: I take having you here as a blessing and an amazing opportunity. Why did you want to come work at Agahozo?
C: When my firstborn came to study here, I saw many changes in her—her healing and her growth. I felt I wanted to be a part of that positive influence on young Rwandans and to give back to a community that helped my own daughter so much. I also really like to work as a mom, to care for kids, especially here with the philosophy Agahozo has.
A: Before you came here, did you have other work?
C: Yes, I was a teacher for mute and deaf children. So it is not my first time working with vulnerable students. The difference is that here we are involved in all aspects of making students whole, while in my old job there was no additional care given to kids outside the classroom.
A: How do you feel about me studying here while you are a Mama?
C: I feel so blessed to have my kids at ASYV. And it is a blessing for us to be here together so I can still be a figure of guidance for you on a daily basis and be connected with your ASYV Mama. I wish our whole family could be here to get the same healing and transformation that we who are here are experiencing.
A: What is your favorite thing about being here?
C: It is just my first year here at ASYV, but in the short period I have spent with my boys, I have seen so much growth in their characters and values. For example, when one of my boys first arrived, he used to go everywhere without permission, and I wouldn't know where he was. I had to talk with him a lot to teach him how important it is to be a respectful member of a family and not to live life only as an individual. Now, he is an example to other boys.
A: How did you go about overcoming that challenge?
C: To transform a kid is a process. It never happens overnight, and it can’t happen alone. You have to keep pushing, keep talking to build those relationships that help these young people grow and deal with their pasts. What I have seen over these few months at ASYV gives me hope for all my kids’ futures, both here in the Village and beyond.
Family Day
ASYV student Tuyizere Diane (right) visits with her family during Family Day.
At 9 a.m. on May 2, the Village gates opened, and a rush of students excitedly greeted their relatives arriving at ASYV for Family Day. Though many ASYV students are orphans of at least one parent, all have a guardian outside the Village. Family Day provides an opportunity for our kids’ guardians and non-ASYV family members to visit and learn about life in the Village first-hand. And after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, this Family Day felt particularly momentous to students, staff, and visitors.
“My mom felt happy because before coming here, I could not say anything in English, and she heard from my teacher that I am a good student and can express myself,” said first-year student Marceline Utamuriza. “And of course, she was also happy to hear that I was missing her.” After meeting the teachers, Mamas, and other staff members, the visiting families enjoyed a group lunch—many laughing as the kids relayed their favorite ASYV memories.
Mama Kanyonga Ernestine (left) greets a visiting family member.
Student and staff leaders, including our Executive Director, JC Nkulikiyimfura, then spoke to the assembly about how the Village runs on community, hard work, and trust. “My mom was so happy,” said Teta Deborah, also in her first year in the Village. “And JC’s speech convinced her that ASYV is a real community. She left feeling good.”
Mama Kanyonga Ernestine (left) greets a visiting family member.