What a Hero Means

When our first-year students arrive at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, they meet their ASYV mama and the new brothers or sisters they will live with for the next four years—and remain bonded to for a lifetime. Throughout their first term, the kids in each new student family conduct research into heroes of history. They then choose one hero as their family namesake. In honor of Rwanda’s National Heroes Day, February 1, we asked a few of our newest kids what their family’s hero means to them.

“Everyone in my family wanted the singer Yvan Buravan as our hero. Not only did he create a good time for people, he was also a role model. He promoted Kinyarwanda culture in his songs, and he was very kind and helped people who were less fortunate.” – Sharangabo Agahire Ketia, Yvan Buravan Family

“People say that there is work for women and there is work for men. They say there are some things that women can't do. But Fannie Lou Hamer was a Black American woman fighting for civil rights. Fannie led campaigns. She was brave.” – Umugisha Brunella, Fannie Lou Hamer Family 

"When you go into the family home and see the name on the entrance, you feel proud. You feel like you are at home. You think to yourself: I could also become a hero to many people.” – Mukwaya Aldrine Jeremiah, Chinua Achebe Family

"Ruganzu II Ndoli was an early Rwandan king who was brave and fought for the country. I like this name because it symbolizes our love for our country. And I feel very different now that we have a family name. It shows that our family aligns with greatness." – Nshuti Prince, Ruganzu II Ndoli Family

An Older Brother's Words of Wisdom

In addition to researching famous heroes, our kids also find role models inside the Village gates. In December, we were honored to have Frank Ntambara, ASYV Class of 2015, return to talk with our 503 current students during Village Time, our weekly talent show. Last year, Frank graduated from Dar es salaam Maritime Institute, in Tanzania, with a degree in nautical science. While studying, Frank worked as a ship’s captain in the merchant navy. When he had finished inspiring our kids, we sat down to talk with Captain Frank.

What is the most important thing you learned at ASYV?

Before I came to the Village, I was a good student, but I had no money. I couldn’t pay school fees. Had I not come to ASYV, that would have been the end of the story. And the Village offered many more activities than other schools. I learned I was good at debate. I was good at pitching projects. But I think the most important thing I learned was public speaking. When I was competing for a presidential scholarship to study at Dar es salaam, I did an interview. There were more than 50 kids who were all top performers in engineering. But I could talk to others about what I had inside myself. I earned myself a government scholarship because I had learned to express myself.   

Why did you want to talk to the current students?

One thing I wanted to make clear is that in the outside world, there are rarely exams. Some people are born naturally gifted, and can pass exams without working so hard. But every kid at ASYV can learn something that makes their life better and makes a difference in their community. You can get so many skills from the activities and clubs here, and you can apply what you learn to so many situations outside. The other thing I most wanted them to understand is that because you were at ASYV, you will always have family.

Bwira News: The First Female President

In her post on our student blog, Asiimwe Tetero Esther Nyllah, ASYV Class of 2024, discusses her hero: Deborah Meillah, ASYV Class of 2022 and the Village’s first woman student government president. 

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