On May 24, the 126 members of our Inganji (meaning “victory” and “celebration” in Kinyarwanda) Grade walked to receive their diplomas. They also embraced the futures full of possibility they worked to build here at the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV).

“When we first arrived at Agahozo, we carried the weight of past experiences—scars, wounds, and fear of what the future held,” said Inganji Grade’s Valedictorian, Asiimwe Tetero Esther Nyllah. “Agahozo instilled in us that we are worthy of love, success, and a bright future. Let us hold fast to our commitment to healing the world, carrying with us the love that sustained us [at ASYV].”

Inganji Grade, we know that you will carry that love and your incredible resilience and determination with you and achieve anything you set out to accomplish. It has been an honor supporting you in your journey.

See pictures of more graduation day highlights below.

A Journey of Possibility

A spotlight on the Class of 2024’s Uwineza Belyse

“Five years ago, I was someone who couldn’t think about anything to do with finding a stable future. At ASYV, I discovered that crochet is a good activity for me because it helped to release my stress. Then my teachers inspired me to think about a business and to be confident,” says Uwineza Belyse, a member of the Class of 2024.

Fast forward to ASYV’s 2024 Business Plan Competition this May. During the event, Belyse and three of her sisters stood before their Village family and a panel of Rwandan entrepreneurs to pitch their plan for their own crochet business. The judges awarded the group third place, qualifying them to receive a small start-up loan from ASYV. “I was seeing that everything is possible. I can have a business,” says Belyse of her moment of victory.

The other group presentations that earned top spots and start-up funding included a business designing original flower vases and a program that aims to make Rwandan education and tourism more accessible by teaching sign language. Belyse also plans to offer training and education to her community. In addition to running her shop, Belyse hopes to teach crochet to more young Rwandans, including her younger ASYV siblings, so they can find the healing and confidence that she did: “ASYV took away my loneliness and gave me hope for the future.”