Student Artwork

There is truly exceptional talent in the Village. Many students come to the Village not knowing their abilities. Idi, an Enrichment Year student, realized his incredible artistic talent upon arriving to ASYV in December. Prior to coming to ASYV, Idi didn't know about art. Now he produces exceptional art. His story is just one of many. Enjoy the wonderful pictures made by both Idi and Rossy, a Senior 4 student.  

Idi and Rossy with a picture of Jean Pierre, the Director of Informal Education.

Idi painting a mural. 

Relationships

     In exactly two weeks the students at Agahozo Shalom will depart and head back to their homes for vacation. In exactly two weeks I will say goodbye to the people that have given my life a purpose for the past year. When I say goodbye, I don’t know when I will see these people that I have built strong relationships with again. But I know that I will make every effort to stay in touch with them. Despite the many structures that I built and strengthened, I know that the relationships that I’ve made here will transcend time.

     For a while I was comparing my relationships with students here with relationships that I have with people back home. It took me time to realize that the relationships are extremely different and can’t be compared. Relationships here and at home are intense and meaningful in different ways. Both are necessary and both are fulfilling.

   

I will miss the smiles.

The hugs.

The laughs.

The explanations of the realities of life in America.

The Kinyarwanda lessons.

The candid conversations about their traumatic past.

The hopeful conversations about their beautiful futures.

And most of all, I’ll miss the deep and unspoken communication that we share. 

     The relationships that I have built and secured here have helped to solidify my decision to become a social worker. My ability to create meaningful and deep relationships with these students despite cultural restrictions, communication barriers and religious differences, has proven to me my ability to excel as a social worker. As I begin my studies and career in the field of social work, I will never forget the lessons that the students at Agahozo have taught me. I’m so proud of the students. I am eager to be a part of their growth as they continue in secondary school and after school, as they become the future leaders of Rwanda. 

Yvette.

Solange.

Pacific.

Gemima.

Justin.

Noella.

Janviere.

Mable.

Vincent.

Celine.

Patrick.

Claudine.

Aime. 

Claire. 

Guslaine.

Claudine.

Barrett and I.

The Depth of Gratitude

Hibiscus flower after the rain. 

Sandrine, Justin and Triphine. 

     Words can’t describe how much I’ll miss this place. Today, as the Tutoring Club organized an appreciation celebration for me, it hit me that soon I will be leaving Rwanda.

     Emmy, the club president, approached me on Thursday to invite me to a club meeting at my house. Since clubs were over, I didn’t know what to expect. Regardless, I was excited to be reunited with this incredible group of Senior 5 students.

    The time rolled around and club members filtered into my house. Julien introduced the gathering and started off by sharing riddles. For example: A cat is on a bridge and wanted to cross to the other side There is a sign that says “No crossing allowed.” The water below is filled with deadly alligators. How does the cat get across? (See answer below).

     In addition to the riddles, we talked about making a Tutoring Club Facebook page so we could all stay in touch. Triphine turned to me and said “It should be called Tutoring Family!” We shared a smile and I was immediately filled with warmth.

After a few riddles, some of the ladies returned from the kitchen with juice and biscuits. The students had pooled together their monthly allowance to buy snacks to share together at our gathering. The cups of juice were in the shape of an “M.” As we snacked, I brought out my camera and the photo taking fun began.

After the snacks were finished, Media asked me to stand in front of everybody and close my eyes. She wanted to say a few words. When she told me to open my eyes, I was surrounded by the entire Tutoring club, each one holding a collective card that they had made for me. It was an incredible moment of unity. I read the card out loud: “Just To Say Thank You.” The inside read “Your thoughtfulness has meant more than you will ever know and this comes to express sincere gratitude. Thank You. G-d Bless You.” When I finished reading, Media turned the page to reveal notes to me from every member of the club. I was touched.

     I went around hugging everyone as cameras flashed (hugs are not common in Rwanda so this was a treat!). While hugging the students, I received many thanks and kind words:

Triphine: “I will miss you so much. We must stay in touch. Can I give you my email?”

            Emmy: “What you created will remain.”

            Claire (a girl that I tutored): “Thank you for your support.”

            Claude: “Thank you. May G-d bless.”

Following the hugs, I was asked to give a speech. Feeling my emotions stirring, I sat down to give my speech. Immediately I choked up. Tears starting falling down my face. Before coherent words could come out, other students began crying. This made me get even more emotional. Triphine quickly sat next to me, held my hand and put her arm around me. I felt surrounded by love. Finally I gained control of my crying and thanked the club profusely. I told them how proud I was of them, how far we’ve come as a group and how much strength I see in them. I implored them to use the skills we collected to continue to empower themselves and their peers. All of the club members listen attentively to the message I left with them.

     As a list of email addresses circulated the room, Julien and Emmy gave a speech thanking me. They told me I could dry my tears since the group will always be together. They said that it was because of the love I shared with them that they were able to grow. Touched and speechless!

Sandrine, Clarisse, Esther and Jacky. 

Julien, Gaius, Emmy and Claude. 

My reaction as I opened my eyes. 

Claire, Triphine and I.

Justin and I.

Sandrine and Media enjoying juice and biscuits. 

Triphine giving me a hug. 

(Answer: The cat crossed the bridge. It can’t read.)  

Live to Eat Or Eat to Live?

My new African shirt.
Rwandans always comment on my wide figure (where all my weight has settled).
It symbolizes wealth, happiness and beauty. 

     Food in the Village is good. However, the food can get very repetitive and feel quite heavy. A normal meal consists of rice, a watery soup consisting of a combination of one or more of beans, carrots, cabbage, sour baby eggplants, peas or green beans and either potatoes, sweet potatoes (different than in the US) or boiled green bananas. Sometimes there is a special treat of an egg, salad with mayo, a piece of pineapple or half of a banana. Spice is not common in Rwanda so the food either takes on a salty or smoky taste. It is quite impressive that four years and three meals a day later, the kitchen has succeeded in never producing food that made anyone sick. I've had my fair share of eating rotten and moldy foods, all of which were 100% due to my mindlessness. So kudos to the ASYV kitchen! 

     Having had an aversion to beans and rice prior to coming to Rwanda, I have struggled a bit with the food. Luckily I had a kettle and two-burner stove for most of the year. Unfortunately, at the end of term 2, both broke. Now I share a kettle with my friend Barrett and eating is somewhat back to normal. 

     Often I make food in my house. I brought lots of food from America and Israel which I heavily rely on (macaroni and cheese, protein bars, nuts, crackers, peanut butter and tuna). I also buy food in Kigali and at the market. Traveling to those two places takes time though. Kigali is 1.5 hours away from the Village. For one trip, it takes me 4 motorcycle rides and 2 bus rides. The market near ASYV, located in Rubona, is a 30-45 minute walk each way. While it's hard and often demanding to find food, I've made it my job to do so. I've become very knowledgeable about where and when to get foods. 

     Sometimes i'll go into Kigali to treat myself to different foods. Never before fancying Ethiopian or Indian food, pizza or sandwiches, I have come to enjoy them (they are pretty much my only options). I've found some great restaurants. It's a nice treat to go into Kigali for the day with Barrett to eat bagels, go to the market, buy groceries (mostly dairy products now that I have a fridge!), eat Indian food (yes, we do have lunch 2 hours after breakfast) and then head back to the Village. 

     Food has always been important for me; I live for food. After spending some time in Rwanda, I see that many people here eat to live. My perspective on food has definitely changed. Don't get me wrong, I still love indulging in fancy foods, but while i'm here, i've become okay with settling for the food that I can get my hands on. Here are a few pictures that may help you to understand my successes regarding food. 

The old Rubona Market.

Stacked serving bowls in the Dining Hall. 

Lunchtime in the Dining Hall. All meals are family style.
Students alternate in doing kitchen duty.

Refill station in the Dining Hall. 

A few of my favorite dishes: 

Spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce and hard boiled eggs.

Shakshuka, bread with avocado and tomato and a banana.

Fresh greens from Melissa's garden (Farm and Environmental Coordinator).

Tuna sandwich and salad with avocado, onions and sunflower seeds. 

Salad with beets, onions, carrots and green beans.