 |
| Diane and Gislaine |
 |
| Barrett and I |
 |
| Enrichment Year Sketch in the Amphitheater |
My journey to Rwanda to volunteer at Agahozo Shalom Youth Village began
11 ½ months ago. I left my family and friends, unsure of what this new journey
would bring. Over the year I learned not only about Rwandan culture but also
about myself. I came to ASYV not only to teach but to learn as well. Of the many things that i've learned is if I can
do laundry by hand, go days without water, weeks without electricity
or Internet and months with eating only beans, rice and potatoes, then I am prepared for
anything.
Prior to coming to Rwanda, at orientation, we were asked to write a
haiku. Mine read as follows:
My name is Maytal
I like to educate
others
And to learn myself.
Indeed I have learned. The staff and students at Agahozo taught
me countless lessons. I couldn’t be more thankful for the experience I had and
the lifelong relationships that I made.
This year was challenging. In the middle of the year I wasn’t sure that
I would be able to stay to complete the fellowship. Thanks to the support of family and
friends in the US and Rwanda, I was able to overcome the hardships.
I wrote down the advice and support that I received and put it on my wall for
constant inspiration. While coming to Rwanda was one of the hardest things I’ve
ever opted to do, my experience has been incredibly rewarding and worthwhile.
I’ve never felt as at ease and cared for
as in Rwanda. Rwanda is one of the most welcoming countries, communities and
people. People accept you for who you are and don't pass judgements. I’ll miss being asked all the time how my day was and being told that I
am missed. The sense of responsibility, cooperation and commitment to Rwandan
culture and society is incredible. Widows take in orphans. Orphans allow
adopted parents into their lives and hearts. People with very little give very
much. Everyone supports one another in their achievements. While Rwanda has a
rough history involving Genocide, they have created a beautiful present. Kabiyona, a student in Senior 4, said "The thing that I love most about my country is that your neighbors are like family. They are your brothers and sisters." Even though his neighbor killed his parents during Genocide and has never asked for forgiveness, Kabiyona still treats him like family. Agahozo has become a family to me. Everyone took me in and cared for me. The
love that we share is raw and deep. Students welcomed me into their lives and
invited me into their hearts.
The last week in the Village
was a whirlwind. I cried and I laughed. I smiled and I felt pride. I was able
to take a step back and revel in the beauty of the Village. I saw the many
departments of the Village come together in order to create a holistic community
and numerous opportunities for their students. The events and conversations of
this week left me feeling accomplished and proud of my students.
As Barrett (a long term volunteer, co-cousin and incredible support for me throughout the year) and I recapped the year, we reflected on the growth that we have gone through from criticizing culture and different models of working to embracing all that Rwanda has to offer.
Over the year I have seen rapid growth in all of the students. Many came
to Agahozo shy and scared to open up. Throughout their time at Agahozo,
students are able to dream and restore their rhythm of life. They become confident and learn how to take responsibility for themselves. According to
Pacific, a Senior 5 student, “Agahozo taught me how to address my feelings and
emotions.” Kagame, a Senior 6 student said, “Agahozo taught me how to be the
driver of my own life. How to become a leader.”
While I am sad to leave, I feel confident that I have empowered my
students and guided them to take responsibility for their life path. I know
that they will succeed at what they put their minds to. Christine, one of my
girls, thanked me for empowering her: “You make us to open our hearts and our
minds. We thank you so much!”
Even though I will miss the students very much, we will remain friends and
supports for one another. Not only will I assist them, but also they will guide
me. When saying bye to Vincent, an Enrichment Year student, he told me “You
have taught me more, more, more things. And I want that you will continue to
teach me. This is only the beginning.” The advice that I’ve received from the
students is exceptional. They have taught me about life. About how to be the
best that you can be. Love.
Coexistence. Hope. Forgiveness. Strength. The students are a constant
inspiration to me.
As I leave Rwanda and embark on a new journey, I am plagued with many
reflective questions:
Did I accomplish what I set out to achieve?
Did I do enough?
Did I contribute to sustainability for Rwandan youth?
Was I able to teach as much as I learned from this
experience?
How can I relay my experience in all its glory and
hardships to other people?
I strive to seek clarity to these questions as I
continue onto Tanzania, South Africa and Israel. Over the year, my main challenge has
shifted from basic communication to expressing how much everyone in the Village
has meant to me, how instrumental and influential they were in shaping my
experience. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for the community
of Agahozo. I'm excited to take on my next experience as a changed person, with confidence, strength and knowledge about how to overcome one's past in order to envision a brighter future. I don’t know when I will return to Rwanda but I hope it will be
soon. The students and staff have made their way into my heart and there they
will remain.
 |
| My beautiful girls |
 |
| Rubona Market |
 |
| Barrett and I giving an award to Gislaine. |
 |
| Odette and Diane |
 |
| On the way to Gisenyi. |
 |
| Mama Mary and I. She's like a second mother to me. |
 |
| Issa (Social Science Teacher) and I at the staff picnic. |
 |
| Barrett and I eating homemade pasta. A treat. |
 |
Puzzle winning team at the staff seminar.
A mix of big siblings, head chef, a teacher, security guard and Mama. |
 |
| Rubona center |
 |
| Mable and I at Lake Muhazi. |
 |
| Jennifer and I at the staff picnic. |
 |
| Barrett and I at a wedding. |
 |
| Cards I made for my Rwandan family. |
 |
| Sunset view from Liquidnet Family High School at ASYV. |
Murakoze cyane Agahozo Shalom. Ndagukunda!
Thank you very much Agahozo. I love you!
My journey to Rwanda to volunteer at Agahozo Shalom Youth Village began
11 ½ months ago. I left my family and friends, unsure of what this new journey
would bring. Over the year I learned not only about Rwandan culture but also
about myself. I came to ASYV not only to teach but to learn as well. Of the many things that i've learned is if I can
do laundry by hand, go days without water, weeks without electricity
or Internet and months with eating only beans, rice and potatoes, then I am prepared for
anything. 
Indeed I have learned. The staff and students at Agahozo taught
me countless lessons. I couldn’t be more thankful for the experience I had and
the lifelong relationships that I made.
As I leave Rwanda and embark on a new journey, I am plagued with many
reflective questions:
I strive to seek clarity to these questions as I
continue onto Tanzania, South Africa and Israel. Over the year, my main challenge has
shifted from basic communication to expressing how much everyone in the Village
has meant to me, how instrumental and influential they were in shaping my
experience. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for the community
of Agahozo. I'm excited to take on my next experience as a changed person, with confidence, strength and knowledge about how to overcome one's past in order to envision a brighter future. I don’t know when I will return to Rwanda but I hope it will be
soon. The students and staff have made their way into my heart and there they
will remain.
