Beyond the Village Gates, Family Time Continues

The Miriam Makeba student family during Family Time

Photo credit: Ann Misaki Singer (ASYV Fellow 2018)

Family Time is when our student families come together in the evening to laugh, debate, play games, share worries, welcome visitors, dance, and just be, together. So when our students returned to their homes in March, they knew they needed to find a way to continue this important nightly ritual, even if it meant convening virtually.

With the help of WhatsApp groups and phone chains, Family Time continues. Some student families use the group chats to discuss the news or Bible passages, while others receive words of wisdom and life lessons from their family mamas.

For all of our student families, virtual Family Time is an opportunity to make sure everyone is safe and has the resources they need. No matter where in Rwanda our students are, they find a way to support each other.

“We all make sure that everyone is okay and it makes me feel good because I think that even though my siblings are far, I know that they are fine…we sometimes call others who are not using WhatsApp and make sure that they all are fine. We know if there are any problems, we can help.” - Ornella T. N., Miriam Makeba Family, Class of 2021