Maytal in Rwanda!: Future Leaders of Rwanda

View from the Nature Park.

A few Mamas laughing during a game during a staff meeting.

Barrett and I relaxing by the pool in Kigali.

This term I had the opportunity to volunteer at the school. I worked with two teachers, Issa and Egide to help grade research paper presentations. It was a pleasure to be able to be at the school and not only learn more about formal education in Rwanda, but to see the creativity and brilliance of the students.

The presentations required students to choose a topic and perform research. They had to produce a 10 page paper and give a 20=50 minute presentation all in English. This type of project is hard for American students, let alone Rwandan students who have only known English for three years.

It was great to watch students put in lots of time and effort into an extremely difficult project. The students pushed themselves to think outside of the box and create unique research. What was most incredible was seeing the topics that the students chose. Most of the students chose topics about Rwanda. It was moving to see high school students choosing to address topics relevant to their country. The presentations showed the importance of collective responsibility to Rwandans. Some of the topics included:

- Unwanted pregnancies in Rwandan youth

- Impact of intensive farming in Agahozo Shalom

- Medical benefits of aloe vera products

- African literature in post colonialism with a focus on Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

- Impact of e-learning in Rwanda

- Effects of monetary union on the East African Community

- Management of stress by Genocide survivors

- Study of human eye diseases, specifically nearsightedness and farsightedness

- Role of ASYV in developing our country

Not only do the students share a collective responsibility and commitment to their country, but also they support each other as they explore what this means to them. Throughout the process, students motivated and encouraged one another.

An example of this shared responsibility and support was when a student was presenting about the role of ASYV in developing our country. After the student presented, she began to well up with tears. When Egide asked why she was about to cry, the student said that she was emotional about her topic. When giving her the final grade, I told her that I understood why she was emotional. I said,

   “You chose a topic that is dear to your heart and the hearts of the students at ASYV. Everyone here
   has been influenced by ASYV. The development of ASYV is instrumental in shaping the future
   leaders of Rwanda. I see already in each and every one of you strength and the ability to be
   leaders. You will be the future of Rwanda.”

I gave her the marks: 100%. The class erupted in excitement, cheers and claps and the student that presented left the room, crying, completely overcome with emotion.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see ASYV and Rwanda from a different angle, that of formal education. Seeing the way formal education operates in the Village allowed me to see the Village in a more holistic way, as a true combination of both formal and informal factors. There is so much that the students of ASYV have to teach the world. It is these students that will become the future leaders of Rwanda.

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I wasn't able to get any pictures from these presentations. But I wanted share a few pictures from different events with the long term volunteers, the cousins. This group has provided me with lots of strength and support throughout my journey in Rwanda. Together we have explored the rich culture of Rwanda and the beautiful, creative and loving people of the country.