At a lecture about the Rwandan genocide and its aftermath, I was stunned to learn that there were 1.2 million orphans in Rwanda. With no systemic solution, the future did not bode well for these children or the country. It occurred to me that the Jewish people had had a similar experience: Holocaust orphans dealing with trauma and rebirth. I vaguely recalled the story of Youth Villages – that was what Rwanda needed! In researching the Israeli Youth Village experience, I came across a model to emulate – Yemin Orde. With Ethiopian Israeli graduates I planned to go to Rwanda to explain the philosophy and methodology of Yemin Orde. Who better to convey our message to Africa than Ethiopians?
Having a model to emulate and a country eager for our arrival, I turned to the Joint Distribution Committee which agreed to house the project, and the Agahozo (A Place Where Tears are Dried) Shalom Youth Village was born.
After only two years, I am awed by what we have accomplished: By the end of this year, we will have built housing, infrastructure and sufficient staff to welcome our first class of 125 high school students. We will add 125 students a year until we reach 500.
The impact this project has had on my life and that of my family cannot be put into words. My three children and my incredibly supportive husband have all spent time in Rwanda. They know, appreciate and understand that the Rwandan story is our story, and it is a place where we are compelled to act. Rwanda today is a land of optimism and promise. Together we have witnessed the horror and felt the hope that is almost palpable. And together we have learned that every one of us can change the world.
Anne Heyman is the founder of Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. www.agahozo-shalom.org
