Rebuilding a hopeful future for Rwandan orphans

This January, the village welcomed its second class of 125 students. These new students, now well into their first year at Agahozo-Shalom, have settled into their family homes, where students live in groups of 16 with a house mother, a big brother or sister and a volunteer who mentors the students. The second year students have offered incredible support in helping their new classmates acclimate to village life. Liquidnet Family High School officially opened for the school year in January, welcoming all 250 students. The staff has grown to nearly 100 with 10 full time, long-term volunteers from the US and Israel who have committed to a year of service at the village. The volunteers are helping out in the farm, the school, after school and in all aspects of village life.

The village's Tikkun Olam project is expanding as well and is a source of self-esteem, gratitude and inspiration for the village and the surrounding community. Tikkun Olam (literally, “repairing the world,” and practically, “engaging in social action”) is one of the core tenets of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. At the village, Tikkun Olam projects offer a strong contribution to the youth of Agahozo-Shalom themselves, as well as to the surrounding communities. The Tikkun Olam project involves a four year process of gradually expanding the youth’s “Area of Service.” During their first year at Agahozo-Shalom, children focus on Tikkun Halev, or “repairing the heart.” During this time they work on building their own sense of self, identity, and confidence. During the second year, the youth begin community service in the nearby village of Rubona, where they work with school children, in the local clinic, and help local residents with basic needs. In their third year, they will begin to venture out to the larger area of the district, and finally, in their fourth year at Agahozo-Shalom, the youth will engage in Tikkun Olam throughout the country of Rwanda.

As the village population grows, the opportunities and experiences are growing too. This year the village is proud to have 15 student clubs focusing on diverse subjects ranging from religion and writing to arts, music and sports. Our Agahozo-Shalom "Rhythm of Life" CD featuring songs written and performed by the students, will be available shortly on both Amazon.com and itunes.