Village Times | Term Two | 2016 by Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

Village Times TERM TWO | 2016

PEOPLE EVENTS CAMPUS EDUCATION

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The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

Theory of Change

Village Times TERM TWO | JULY 2016

INTRODUCING OUR CATEGORIES...

PEOPLE

EVENTS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Frank Mabano

CAMPUS

EDITOR & DESIGN

Leigh Woods leigh@asyv.org

EDUCATION

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Rebecca Kerr becky@asyv.org

VILLAGE TIMES | TERM TWO

Thoughts from our board chair... Over the years I have come to learn that Agahozo-Shalom’s second term has a life of its own. Maybe it’s because it is our longest term, maybe it’s because our Enrichment Year kids have settled in and become more engaged, or maybe it’s just because our Senior 6 kids have begun their “Mocks” for the national exam. In any case, it is an extremely busy time for everyone, both in Rwanda and our New York office as we continue to work hard for our 500+ population of kids and fundraise around the great work that we do every day, providing opportunity to Rwanda’s most vulnerable youth. This year, I had the pleasure of visiting our Village during second term, along with a group from Boston, and Anne Heyman’s brother and nephew. It was a special visit indeed. I had the pleasure of attending meetings of our new Student Government, and meeting our “Ministers” who will lead the voices of the kids and represent their needs and thoughts on Village life. We hosted the majority of our alumni for our first ever alumni reunion- what a wonderful treat to have our sons and daughters return home! I also got to see our first ever cohort of interns (all former students) in work and leadership positions, helping out in all aspects of both programs and hospitality. We are so proud of their work! In New York, We celebrated our kids at the eighth annual Stand Up and Be Counted benefit at Gotham Hall. Our wonderful honoree Franco Harris and his good friend singer Allen Harris impressed the crowd along with some of our alumni with a lovely rendition of “It’s a Wonderful World.” The evening was a huge success, and we raised one million dollars for ASYV! Our extended ASYV family is generous and kind, and the love in the room that night for all that we do was extraordinary. I am excited to report that the Village, along with support from our hard working program committee and Board of Directors, has created a Theory of Change in order to assist us in our strategic planning and our Monitoring and Evaluation process. We are so grateful to have the amazing and talented Eric Tuyisenge and Rebecca Kerr guiding us all through this process, as well as our partners at Lehigh University. Laurie T. Franz

Thoughts from our director... Looking back on the second term of 2016, we have achieved some amazing things! The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) has picked up where we left off in the first term and begun to roll out some of the changes that we believe will have a significant impact on the future of the organization and our kids. Toward the beginning of term, the ASYV management team travelled across the country to meet up with our graduates in order to find out about their lives post ASYV. We managed to catch up with 230 graduates in different locations across four provinces, and were able to gather feedback on ASYV’s impact on their lives and where they are today. We aim to use the information gathered to fine-tune our programs and educational processes, which will in turn provide each and every child with the most enriching of experiences during their time in the Village. In mid-May, I had the privilege of attending ASYV’s eighth annual Stand-Up and Be Counted fundraising event in New York. As always, I was humbled by the generosity and compassion of those who made donations toward building a brighter future for our kids, and in turn, the country of Rwanda. I’m delighted to announce that over a dozen of our graduates who are studying in the USA, Canada, and Costa Rica were able to attend the event and share their inspirational stories. At Agahozo-Shalom we believe in meaningful partnerships. Throughout the second term, we have worked very hard to build an entrepreneurship curriculum with the help of our new friends and partners from Technoserve. The hands-on two-year program will help our youth have an in-depth understanding of their own (i) Personal Effectiveness; (ii) Personal Finance; (iii) Youth Saving & Business Group; (iv) Professional Effectiveness; (v) Agribusiness; (vi) Entrepreneurship; (vii) Business Planning and opportunities to go to their communities to start some initiatives. I am delighted to announce that following the development of this curriculum and an intensive training program for some of our staff, we have successfully implemented the changes that I believe will create a generation of Rwandan leaders and innovators. While the Technoserve program focusses on all of our youth, we have also strengthened our young women’s leadership skills through storytelling with Resonate. Finally, we have been working hard to create ASYV’s very own Theory of Change. Through a series of workshops led by experts from the Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, we have worked together to discuss what success truly means to ASYV. I can confidently announce that we have formulated a comprehensive Theory of Change that will be used as an effective management tool and engagement tool for our staff and stakeholders. Furthermore, it will be used as a foundation for a sophisticated monitoring and evaluation system. Jean-Claude Nkulikiyimfura

08 14 10 34 Dreams Ornella: are Necessary Dreams are Necessary

Sports Day

Theory of The Theory Change of Change

26 18 36 26 18 36 N-Pac the Artist N-Pac the Artist

Alumni Alumni Visits Visits

30 22 30 22 Captain Captain Aimable Aimable

Liquidnet Stand-Up: Lunch & Liquidnet Learn Lunch & Learn

ASYV on ASYV on the Wing the Wing

Science Science Centre Centre

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ORNELLA: DREAMS ARE NECESSARY

Ornella

DREAMS ARE NECESSARY My name is Ornella. I am a senior 6 student at ASYV. Describing my life before ASYV wouldn’t be so easy but, I had no dreams really, no ambitions. I never really knew what my tomorrow would be like. I grew up with only my mother at home and I didn’t have any siblings around me. But as I grew up my mother decided to move in with my aunt and we were then living with 15 people in the same house. It wasn’t really easy for us. I was a very quiet child - always very shy. I had too much in my heart and my mind, like, too much pain. When I arrived here at ASYV, the first thing that they told me was that dreams are necessary in life. All you have to do for you to make things that you dreamt about happen, is go for it. Do it. Stop thinking and just do it. And that’s what I decided to do. I decided to take all the opportunities that I was given by ASYV and decided to do something about them. I always want to see the Ornella I’m seeing today better than the Ornella of yesterday. Everytime I think of this, I wake up and do something. That has had a transformational impact on me because right now I believe that nothing is impossible. As long as I dream it, then I can make it happen. That’s what is always in my heart. No matter how impossible it seems to others, it always seems possible to me, and that’s thanks to ASYV. I was four times the National Debate champion. I started the “Girl Up” group, which is a girls only club that empowers other girls. We mainly teach our girls how to be independent and self-reliant. ASYV offered a family. They offered me a community where I had people around me and they were all motivating me and telling me, “you can do it. Go for it”. I never had that in my life. I never had that person who told me, “you know what, you can climb that mountain”. ASYV is a home for broken hearts to heal. ASYV is a playground for us to explore and build new things and watch ourselves making something big that you never dreamed you could make. ASYV is a mother to us because it makes us grow. It nurtures us and gives us everything that any parent would give to their child. This is where I see myself. This is where I feel myself. It’s so hard to put into words, but ASYV is everything to us.

PEOPLE

ASYV graduates are healed, empowered and self-reliant in work and life. They are positive change-makers for themselves and others. Graduates are actively engaged in their communities and give back to society

Students are active citizens in Rwanda and demonstrate Rwandan values

Students feel part of a loving family

Students feel safe, secure and valued

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Students have social and emotional skills

Students are psychologically and physically stable

Students are aware of their talents and potential

Students can communicate effectively in spoken and written English and Kinyarwanda

Students have practical, relevant market-driven skills

Students develop self-awareness and self-acceptance

Students pass the S6 National Exam

Students demonstrate confidence

Students are driven by their curiosity and take responsibility for their own learning

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Students are equipped with self-care skills to keep themselves physically healthy

Students demonstrate empathy

Graduates can access higher education and employment opportunities

Students demonstrate critical thinking ability

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Graduates make ethical and healthy life choices for themselves and others

Students demonstrate our core values

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Students live harmoniously with others

Graduates are passionately driven by their beliefs

Students respect themselves and others

Students understand and are able to use the resources around them

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Students develop an entrepreneurial mind set and understand how their skills can be turned into income generation

Students realize their own projects and initiatives using the skills and resources they have

Discussion, Negotiation, Agreement

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English Enrichment Classes

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Counselling & psycho-social support Loving Family Unit

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Community Service

Entrepreneurship Training

Health Care

Professional Skills

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Career guidance & Counselling

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Critical Thinking Based Curriculum

Life skills curriculum & workshops

Student Clubs & Enrichment Programs

Family Time Science Center

Core Values

Village Time

The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

Theory of Change

THEORY OF CHANGE

This year ASYV management team and staff have been spending a lot of time in workshops, meetings and discussion in order to truly define what success means to ASYV. To help us with this, we’ve created a Theory of Change. A Theory of Change is a tool used for thinking, planning, participation and evaluation of an NGO or philanthropic organization. A Theory of change documents and articulates the impact of an organization, and how the organization will create change in the world. Many NGOs use a Theory of Change as a management tool, an engagement tool for staff and external stakeholders, and a foundation for an evaluation system.

What is the problem? After the 1994 Rwandan genocide, 10% of the population lost their lives and many young people were left orphaned without hope or livelihoods; their earliest memories were extremely traumatic. Even today, there are over 1 million orphans in Rwanda according to UNICEF. Many are unable to access secondary education due to financial issues, live in unstable environments and raise their own siblings. They remain in a cycle of poverty and are at risk to life-threatening diseases and poor physical and psychological health.

Being over eight years old as an organization, it became important for our organization to refine and define what ASYV aims to achieve and how we achieve this, as well as providing a basis for an evaluation system. At ASYV, we are changing the world through our youth that pass through our gates. By undertaking our holistic programs across their 4 years with us, our students go from “vulnerable” to empowered, healed, self-reliant change-makers in their communities. The Theory of Change demonstrates the steps that every student takes to reach there. Our Theory of Change process helped us as an organization to identify what problem we are working to fix, how we will fix it, and the impact we will have in Rwanda and the world.

THEORY OF CHANGE

What does ASYV do to solve the problem? Mission:

Outcome:

Impact:

To enable vulnerable and orphaned youth to realize their maximum potential by providing them with a safe and secure living environment, health care, education and necessary life skills. Education and service are used to model and create socially responsible citizens in Rwanda and across the world.

ASYV graduates are healed, empowered and self-reliant in work and life. They are positive change-makers for themselves and others.

ASYV graduates enact what they have learned and contribute to the economic and social development of Rwanda and the world.

How do we do this?

How will this impact on the world?

Every year we recruit 128 vulnerable orphans across Rwanda that go through our holistic program with these 4 focusses:

Orphaned youths are no longer vulnerable but transformed agents of change. They are no longer at the margins of society but rather contribute to Rwanda’s social and economic challenges. They are leaders of social justice and implement effective, positive change within their communities, countries and the world.

Parental Wholeness Health & wellness Formal Education Life Enrichment Applied Programs What is the long-term outcome? • Healed: Graduates are happy and healthy, and make ethical life choices for themselves and others. • Empowered: Graduates have a strong value system and are passionately driven by their beliefs. • Self-reliant: Graduates can access Higher Education and/or employment. • Positive change-makers: Graduates contribute to their communities and give back to society.

Going through this process has enabled all staff and stakeholders to re-understand the “why” of ASYV, and become confident of how their role assists to the long-term outcome. It has helped us as an organization fine-tune and refine our programs so that they enable our students to reach the ultimate outcome.

The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village

Theory of Change Mission To enable orphaned and vulnerable youth to realize their maximum potential by providing them with a safe and secure living environment, health care, education and necessary life skills. Education and service are used to model and create socially responsible citizens in Rwanda and around the world.

Programs:

Outcome:

We are a holistic model centred on the principles “Tikkun Halev” (healing of the heart) and “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world around you). We restore the rhythm of life by concentrating on healing, education and community service.

Positive Change-Makers

L.E.A.P

(Life Enrichment Applied Programs: Successes from Informal Education Programs)

Youth pursue their passions, acquire practical, professional skills and learn entrepreneurship. They realize the value of giving back through service work in the local community.

Formal Education ASYV youth are given access to high-quality academic schooling with an emphasis on critical thinking. They receive English enrichment lessons and computer literacy classes. Career counselling and guidance is also offered so that our youth are as best prepared as possible upon leaving ASYV.

Graduates are actively engaged in their communities and give back to society.

SelfReliant

Healed Graduates are happy and healthy and make ethical life-choices.

Graduates can access higher education and employment.

Empowered Graduates have a strong value system and are passionately driven by their beliefs.

Health & Wellness Our youth need to heal their hearts and repair their bodies when they first arrive at ASYV. They are given access to medical health care and psychological support through counselling and therapy according to their individual needs. They are equipped with crucial life-skills to keep themselves and others healthy and happy. Throughout their time, we monitor each individual child’s psychological development to ensure no one is left behind.

Parental Wholeness Agahozo-Shalom is a youth village where parenting is done by the community. It is neither an orphanage nor a school. We know that no one can succeed without the foundation of a loving, safe and secure environment. We provide this through our innovative model based on family unity. Our youth live in family units supported by caring educators who act as their guardians and rolemodels. They learn our core values of integrity, respect, commitment, and support so that they can live harmoniously with others.

SPORTS DAY

SPORTS DAY Sports play a large role in the lives of most who reside in the Village. Among the physical activities that we encourage here are mucaka-mucaka, yoga, karate, football, basketball, volleyball, and sport-themed learning community sessions that include workouts such as “gym-tonic”. At ASYV, we know that keeping oneself physically healthy will pay dividends to one’s mental wellbeing. Time and again we see students who participate regularly in sports and other forms of exercise go on to achieve high grades at school. Furthermore, our sports teams are beginning to flourish, with both boys and girls progressing to the latter stages of cup competitions. Every term, the LEAP department organizes a sports day with the aim of encouraging kids to engage in exercise as part of their daily routine. The event also serves as an excellent community building scheme since all kids and many staff members join in the fun. Among the activities included in our last sports day were handball, relays, sack races, football, tug-of-war and a variety of playground games.

EVENTS

SPORTS DAY

Top: Jean-Baptiste Mutamba trying to ecape getting caught in a game of gorillas and chickens. Above: Descartes Tuyishime enjoying his families victory in tug-of-war. Right: Girls in the Susan B Anthony family battle it out against those from the St. Valentine family in handball.

EVENTS

Left: Girls in the Queen Victoria family losing ground in tug-of-war. Above: Even the mamas get involved with the relay races. Below: The girls line up for the sack race.

ALUMNI VISITS The beginning of this year marked our 4th graduating class from Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village who went to join the ranks of our alumni, making their numbers grow to nearly 500. Over the last few months, ASYV management team travelled across the country to meet graduates and find out what they have been up to since leaving ASYV. Meeting in different locations across the four provinces of the country, the ASYV management team spoke with 180 graduates from all Urumuli, Imbuto, Indatwa and Ingenzi grades.

Alumni were thrilled to be visited by ASYV management and were also very excited to be introduced to The Village Director, Vincent, who started at ASYV earlier this year. The mood was one of joy as graduates caught up with each other and staff members. In one meeting in Kigali, the Executive Director JC spoke about the importance of keeping a connection with alumni, “Even though you have left ASYV’s gates, you will never leave the ASYV family. We hope you maintain the bonds that were formed in The Village throughout your lives and you are always welcome to come back and visit.”

ASYV management were amazed to see the progress of our graduates. Over 80% of our graduates have managed to secure places at University, most of them with full or partial scholarships. Cyprien, an Urumuli graduate, is now studying crop science at the University Rwanda Huye Campus, in Southern Rwanda. During an interview he commented, “Before coming to ASYV, I was not particularly interested in education. I felt that once I had finished senior 6, that would be the end of school for me. But ASYVs programs together with their philosophy of giving back encouraged me to study agriculture at university and to create positive social impact. Without farmers and other experts in the field, who will help feed our nation?”

ALUMNI VISITS

We were also extremely proud to see how invested ASYV graduates are in continuing the philosophy of The Village. In Butare, Southern Rwanda, ASYV graduates are continuing the tradition of “family time” amongst themselves by meeting every other Saturday to discuss and catch up. What was also outstanding was the commitment of the ASYV graduates in continuing paying it forward and following the values of Tikkun Olam. Amongst the 180 graduates ASYV management spoke to, well over half were involved in regular monthly volunteering activities ranging from volunteering at local health clinics to providing support to poor neighbours. Jeanette, a graduate from Imbuto, commented on this: “ASYV also taught us about Tikkun Olam. After leaving the Village I spent a lot of time teaching English to community members of all ages without asking for any compensation. Helping others makes me feel good because not only am I giving back to society, I am also encouraging others to do the same.”

Graduates spoke about the continued importance of ASYV in their lives. Jeanette continued, “I was so shy and unconfident before arriving in the Village. I could barely say a word at school or even during family time and my English was terrible. The combination of formal and informal education in a loving family oriented environment gradually helped me to feel safe and even empowered.” Graduates wanting to maintain a connection were happy to hear about the introduction of a new mentorship scheme that will allow alumni to return to ASYV and mentor a current student through their time in The Village.

EVENTS

“Before coming to ASYV, I was not particularly interested in education. I felt that once I had finished senior 6, that would be the end of school for me. But ASYVs programs together with their philosophy of giving back encouraged me to study agriculture at university and to create positive social impact. Without farmers and other experts in the field, who will help feed our nation?” - Cyprien, Urumuli Graduate

“I was so shy and unconfident before arriving in the Village. I could barely say a word at school or even during family time and my English was terrible. The combination of formal and informal education in a loving family oriented environment gradually helped me to feel safe and even empowered.” - Jeanette, Urumuli Graduate

STAND UP: LIQUIDNET LUNCH AND LEARN

LUNCH & LEARN During the days leading up to our Stand Up and Be Counted gala 2016, we spent time with ASYV alumni who are studying at various universities across the US and Canada. Among the events was a meetup to discuss our graduates’ experiences post ASYV and the impact that their time spent in the Village has had on their lives today. Below are highlights taken from the Liquidnet Lunch & Learn. Student Speaker, Pacifique Rutamu “When I got there (ASYV) and saw all of the opportunities, I was so determined to turn my life around and use it to shape my future and support my family and my country at large. So I was pretty serious about the opportunities. I was an MC, dancer, painter, you name it. It was kind of like I was exploring myself and my interest in everything. I improved academically and was later admitted into a pre-gap year program after ASYV. It’s called Bridge2Rwanda, a program that helps high school graduates to get into schools based in the US, Canada, and Europe. I was able to get a scholarship, a full ride at TCU in Fort Worth. My transition was not very hard mostly because of the time that I spent in ASYV, which is a very different place from other high schools that you can go to in Rwanda. I was introduced to a busy life that encompassed many challenges. I am very thankful for what the village has done for me.”

Student Speaker, Liliane Pari Umuhoza “My name is Liliane Pari Umuhoza, and I graduated in 2012 with Agahozo-Shalom. I’m now studying in the US at Juniata College in Pennsylvania. It is hard to talk about Agahozo-Shalom in just ten or fifteen minutes. We could spend the whole week talking about the Village. ASYV transformed our lives; that’s the summary of what Agahozo did for us. Rwanda passed through a terrible moment during the genocide in 1994 and we are the survivors. I was two during the genocide, and many of us here were babies. We lost our families, and everything was destroyed. We started from zero, from nothing. After the genocide, people were concerned about development, but not healing. People didn’t get time to heal their hearts because there were no freedoms. For instance, I survived with my mother, and she had to raise me, instead of thinking about herself. So, it was a good chance for us to go to Agahozo-Shalom, where you can meet counselors, have a new family, and be together with people who share the same stories. At Agahozo-Shalom, I got time to find myself. I was lost before. I started dreaming, and because I had access to education, I believed in myself. When people ask me, “What do you want to do in the future?” I say that I want to invest in people. I don’t know what that means, but that’s what I want to do. And it is because I have been inspired by people who invested in me. They made me who I am today, and that is Agahozo-Shalom.”

EVENTS

Student Speaker, Peace Grace Umutesi

Student Speaker, Jean Kagame

“My name is Peace Grace, and I go to school in Atlanta. I’m really thankful because I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Agahozo-Shalom. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for ASYV, I would be somewhere in my country just…maybe married, or maybe…I don’t know. I wouldn’t have the great life I have right now. When I was in Agahozo-Shalom, I remember we used to do community service, and that is something that I actually took with myself everywhere that I’ve been. Going to this small primary school, teaching English, it’s something that really impacted my life. And, where I am in college right now, I’m actually doing the same thing because of Agahozo-Shalom. I feel like I just have to interact with people that I love. There’s this small group in Atlanta. I just go there some evenings and learn with them. I only do this because it’s something that Agahozo-Shalom created in me. When I arrived in Agahozo-Shalom, they taught me that if you see far, you can go far, and that is the philosophy that I took with me.”

“I don’t…sometimes I don’t wait for them to ask me. It’s always on the tip of my tongue. I tell them that it’s my first and my second family. I was just someone who likes to dream about things, but there should be something that helps you to achieve that dream. Not only dreaming, because if you keep dreaming, you will always stay where you are. But the first day when I stepped in Agahozo, I remember it clearly. It’s a long, long time ago, but I remember it. It was 15th of December 2008. That’s the day when I realized that now I have to stop dreaming and start acting, and working towards the goal that I really wanted to achieve. So when I got there, like anyone, I was trying to find myself, trying so many different things. Some worked, and others didn’t, but I knew what I wanted. I thank Agahozo so much because they helped me to become who I am today. Being in Agahozo taught me to be hardworking, but also about being a leader or a driver in my own life, because before, I was just a follower.”

Brian Walsh “Maybe you can answer, like when you have your roommates, you know, in college now, or your classmates, your friends, in either Canada or the United States, and they ask you about Agahozo-Shalom and your experience there, how do you describe it?”

STAND UP: LIQUIDNET LUNCH AND LEARN

LUNCH & LEARN Student Speaker, Immaculee Mugwaneza “Basically, Agahozo-Shalom transformed my life. It’s the cornerstone of where I am today. As Pacifique said, we have like two divisions in Rwanda in high school. So, during the first division, I was so smart and I had good grades. But none of my professors believed in me because I was so shy. When certain opportunities came to my school, they didn’t give me the chance to go for them because I was so shy. It was like, “Oh, she’s smart but we don’t think she can handle those things.” But when I went to Agahozo-Shalom, they believed in me, and they invested in me. They told me, “If you see far, you can go far.” So I was like, “Oh if there is someone to believe in me, I have to believe in myself.” I remember the night when they told me, there is this opportunity for applying for school in America and we believe you can get admitted. I was like, “Wow, I have to go for this.” Then I applied to several schools in America and I got an admission to Arizona State University, and now I’m studying public health mostly because Agahozo-Shalom believed in me.” Student Speaker, Claude Mahoro “My name is Claude Mahoro and I’m doing biomedical science at Arizona State University. I want to go to medical school, and I’m pretty sure that I will make it. Agahozo showed great faith in me. Before ASYV, I wasn’t really academically strong. I actually graduated in

2012 and then applied for American colleges. I didn’t get in the first time, but I kept trying because my friends here told me that you don’t have to give up. Keep trying, you’ll get it. And, yeah, I kept trying, and I finally got a scholarship for Arizona State University. I do believe that I can do whatever I want and I’m pretty sure I’ll make meaningful contributions to my country. So I’m really thankful to Agahozo for all the opportunities that I got there.” Student Speaker, Serge Byusa Jabo “The question you asked about how we explain what Agahozo-Shalom is to our roommates. I very much find myself talking about Agahozo-Shalom in everything I do. If I go on stage and dance well, when I come offstage and they say, “Oh, yeah, you did well. Where did you learn that?” It’s in Agahozo-Shalom. If I go play guitar, and they say, “Oh, you’re great, where did you learn that?” In Agahozo-Shalom. “And how did you get here?” It’s through Agahozo-Shalom. It’s everything, you know. I actually narrow it down to everything I want to do. Now I want to do computer science. Through the science center at ASYV, I developed a passion for it. I want to go back to Rwanda and use what I’ve learned. I can’t even remember life before coming to Agahozo-Shalom. Everything has changed. I discovered what I want to do, what I’m interested in, and I learned a lot of things. I have a beautiful family.”

EVENTS

Student Speaker, Maurice Ntagungira “I have something really short to add about the relationship between the staff and the students in Agahozo-Shalom. One thing I’ve learned which actually really made my life easier in ASU was to communicate with my professors. You know, talk to my professors, and let my professors help me…let my professors know what I want to do. Before, in our (Rwanda’s) system, it was “I’m the teacher. You’re the student. You have to know that I’m the big man in the house.” There is no social interaction and it builds something that you have to be afraid of a person. Even you have to be afraid of saying that you need help. But when I arrived in the Village, everybody wanted to hug us. There was so much love and I remember asking myself, “Is this going to be there the whole time?” Some of us were like, “Maybe this is just a welcoming face, but this is not going to be there for the entire time.” But I swear this was there the whole time. We’re here because of people like JC, the directors, our mothers, and our mentors.”

ken already, but, uh, it’s hard to talk about the Village and how it transformed our lives. When I arrived in the Village, I didn’t try so many things because I was lucky to find what I needed in my life - that being music. It has not only helped myself, but also become a tool for me to help others transform their lives emotionally. Now that I know my heart is now all set, I will do whatever I can to help others, not only in Rwanda but also…the world. It’s not only Rwanda but the whole world that passes through difficult situations, and that’s why we need not only money but also emotional support. That’s why I’m so interested in music therapy, not just having fun, but also making sure that we are all moving forward at the same pace. I really am so thankful for the Village.”

Student Speaker, Innocent Nzayisenga, “There’s this saying that I love, and it has helped me a lot. It goes, ‘You may have left the Village, but the Village will never leave you.’ And that’s something that I took with me when I went to McGill. I was lucky enough to go with Kagame from the Village. It was a smooth transition for me and I guess for him as well. I don’t know…so much has been spo-

STUDENT STORIES: N-PAC THE ARTIST

Student Stories N- Pac the Artist In this termâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Stories we talk to Senior 5 student, Pascal -Claudien Hakizimana about his love for art and how ASYV has helped facilitate his passion. Pascal-Claudien (alias N-Pac) spends the vast majority of his free time in the Village producing artwork that has been subject to much admiration. His work is exhibited in the ASYV gift shop and some of his pieces have even been sold to visitors in order to help raise money for the Village. N-Pac has a colourful personality and a good sense of humour which has helped him to make many friends during his time in the Village. His collection reflects his character and encompasses a broad range of styles and mediums making him a multi-talented artist. N-Pacâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main studies are portraits of people who reside in the Village, but he has also produced a great many paintings of wild animals. Read on to find out what N-Pac had to say when we caught up with him in his creative sanctuary...

STUDENT STORIES: N-PAC THE ARTIST

Leigh: “Hi Pascal. Can we start with you telling me a little about yourself and where your interest in art originated?” N-Pac: “My name is Hakizimana Pascal-Claudien and I’m from the Nelson Mandela family. I am nineteen years old and am currently studying in Senior 5 at the Liquidnet Family High School. I think that my interest in art began when I was in primary school. My mother loved art, and after she died I felt that I wanted to discover the reason why it was such a passion of hers.”

Leigh: “Thank you for sharing that. Perhaps we can talk a little bit about how ASYV has helped you to further discover your passion for art.” N-Pac: “Since arriving in the Village, I have flourished as an artist. Having access to the necessary materials together with the support of an excellent teacher has enabled me to develop my skills and grow in confidence. ASYV’s commitment toward nurturing my talent has also given me hope for my future and the motivation to do exciting things with my artwork - things that I could never have dreamed of before.”

PEOPLE

Leigh: “It sounds like the Village has really helped you to master your ability. How do you think drawing and painting has influenced your life and what is it that you enjoy so much about it?” N-Pac: “During vacations, I have been able to earn some money in exchange for my artwork. This money has helped me to afford some basic needs in my life such as shoes and clothes. Not only am I able to gain a small income from my art, but the process also helps me to feel good and relieve stress. I find drawing and painting to be therapeutic, which helps me to forget about worries from the past.”

Leigh: “Clearly art is something that has helped you in many aspects of life. It has led to making new friends, peacefulness, hope for the future, and even a small income ! Can you tell us what plans you have going forward in terms of art?” N-Pac: “I think that when I finish high school I will pursue art as a career. I still have a lot to learn and believe that I can fulfil my ambition by studying art at university. ASYV has contributed so much toward making my dreams come closer to reality and I am so thankful for all the support that has been given to me”

PEOPLE

Aimable joined ASYV as a young man who had always been passionate about football. His favourite team is Manchester United but he can name just about every player from any team playing in the European Champions League. “I have been playing football for over fourteen years and the player who inspires me more than any other is Cristiano Ronaldo. When I am on the field, I feel focussed and this helps me to de-stress. Football makes me happy.” Upon arriving in the Village, Aimable made it a personal goal of his to break into the Village football team. But with ASYV already having a very strong squad, it was always going to be difficult.

From the very first training session, Aimable showed both enthusiasm and raw talent. It was clear from his first kick of the ball that he was determined to earn his place in central midfield. Despite not being selected to start in the first few games of the season, Aimable attended every training, including 5 a.m sessions three days per week and afternoon sessions on another two. “ASYV has helped me to improve my talent because before arriving here I had to play with poor equipment. The Village provided me with football boots and taught me how to live in harmony with others. I also learned about the importance of respect and integrity. Furthermore, my confidence has increased dramatically.” After showing excellent commitment and a string of first-class performances in training, Aimable finally got his opportunity to start in central midfield alongside another promising enrichment year talent, Jean-Damascene Rutagengwa. Since then, he has never looked back.

CAPTAIN AIMABLE

“When I joined the ASYV football team, I was a substitute for the first two matches. I put in some good displays and soon began to realize that if I worked hard and attended all practices then I might break into the first team. I followed advice from my coaches and senior players such as Dieudone, Jack and Baptiste and put all of my energy into achieving my goal. My efforts paid off as I became a first-team regular and was soon thereafter appointed vice-captain. I am now in Senior 5 and was recently promoted to captain.”

“I’m now involved with an organization called United Talent Centre and also represent my sector. After each match they feed the players and we also earn around 2000-2500 Rwandan Francs.”

Within a few months of his promotion, Aimable led the ASYV boys team to their first ever district cup. And his achievements don’t end there because Aimable has won accolades from outside the Village too! During vacations, he is selected to play semi-professionally for a team near his home town of Butare, with the money he earns from pursuing his passion helping him to support himself and his family.

Congratulations to Aimable for his amazing achievements. He is an inspiration to us all!

His story is an example to all of us how hard work, commitment, and determination really does pay off. In two years, Aimable went from being a fringe player to captaining a district cup winning team and utilizing his talent to support his family.

PEOPLE

SCIENCE CENTRE

SCIENCE CENTRE The goal of Gelfand Family Science Centre this year is to attract more children to the science centre and ignite a general interest in science and technology within the Village as a whole. Additionally we have initiated a program called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Science Tikkun Olamâ&#x20AC;? whereby we aim to encourage our students to heal the world by conducting charity work. This year, they will partake in a small solar panel installation for a vulnerable family in Rubona. Earlier this year, the Gelfand Family Science Centre welcomed students in the Isonga and Imena grades by hosting an event introducing the centre and the classes it facilitates. Science Centre arm bands were distributed among the kids in order to raise awareness of the department. Furthermore, a variety of projects were presented which caused a great deal of excitement. We currently facilitate classes in Electronics, Computer, and Mechanics and will be looking to provide Astronomy workshops in the near future. At the end of each term, students in the Isonga grade will rotate from one lab to another and those in the Imena grade will make their choice for a six-month period. The Gelfand Family Science Centre are currently running several projects including clap switch, a digital watch, automatic water refuelling system, automatic sliding door, restorations of the ASYV radio and much more! Students in the Isonga grade created an innovative drip irrigation system. Kids worked with two visitors who donated all the equipment used for the project. This was a fantastic experience for our kids as they applied the knowledge and skills obtained during their classes in the mechanics lab. Next term, we will delving further into the Science Centre as seen on the oppostie page!

CAMPUS

Village Times TERM THREE | 2016

PEOPLE EVENTS CAMPUS EDUCATION

SCIENCE CENTRE

Plus!

ASYV ON THE WING

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Mugesera trip jimmyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm 35

ASYV ON THE WING

ASYV

on the Wing At ASYV, we understand the importance of protecting the environment. As such, our premises has become home to over 130 species of birds! This term, we take a look at some of the most commonly spotted birds on the premisis. We focus on three very different species including a wader, a raptor, and a songbird.

Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) DIET: Small vertebrates HABITAT: Grassland, Savannah FACT: This species usually breeds in the wet season in colonies in trees, reedbeds or cliffs. It builds a bulky stick nest, and lays 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;4 eggs. It often feeds in shallow water, spearing fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. It will also hunt well away from water, taking large insects, small mammals, and birds. It will wait motionless for its prey, or slowly stalk its victim. The flight is slow, with the neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes, and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

CAMPUS

Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) DIET: Small vertebrates, Carrion HABITAT: Urban Areas FACT: The yellow-billed kite (Milvus aegyptius) is the Afrotropic counterpart of the black kite (Milvus migrans), of which it is most often considered a subspecies. However, recent DNA studies suggest that the yellow-billed kite differs significantly from black kites in the Eurasian clade, and should be considered as a separate, allopatric species. As suggested by its name, the yellow-billed kite is easily recognized by its entirely yellow bill, unlike that of the black kite (which is present in Africa as a visitor during the North Hemisphere winter). However, immature yellow-billed kites resemble the black kites of the corresponding age.

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) DIET: Grass seeds HABITAT: All habitats except forests FACT: The adult male has uniformly brown upperparts, pale blue breast, flanks and tail and a yellow belly. There is a red patch on each cheek, but this can rarely appear orange or even yellow. Females are similar but duller, and lack the cheek spot. Immature birds are like the female, but with blue restricted to the face and throat. Unlike many other passerines, but like all cordon-bleu species, female red-cheeked cordon-bleus sing; they also help to defend a small area around their nest site. Their song is less complex than that of the males, and they sing less frequently. Female song peaks primarily before egg-laying, and is thought to help with pair bond maintenance or breeding synchronization.

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