By Barrett Ellyn Frankel | Development & Communications Manager
Dear Friend,
On 8 February 2014, members of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village Board and our Executive Director joined the Village community in Rwanda, along with dignitaries, government officials, and friends and partners from across the globe in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of our beloved founder, friend and Mother of our entire Village community, Anne Heyman.
We found the Village sad and mourning, but coming together as a family, exactly in the way Anne had always envisioned; full of strength, purpose and love. We arrived bringing a message of hope and courage, and found ourselves being healed in return. It was not only the current 500 students and staff with whom we found support and comfort, but also the 200 plus alumni who came home to care for their younger brothers and sisters.
With the blessing of the Village and the Heyman-Merrin family, we are very pleased to announce that we are taking the needed steps to continue Anne’s legacy, vision and the future of The Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. To this end, the Board of Directors has elected Laurie Toll Franz as our Board Chair. We are fully confident that Laurie embodies the values, commitment and passion to lead the Village along the path Anne Heyman had envisioned for us.
On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank the entire community, new friends and old, for your unwavering support and encouragement. “We never sit and wish, we dream and act”, said Innocent, one of Anne’s Rwandan children as Anne watched proudly as any Mother would at January’s ASYV graduation. Anne's love and commitment lives on.
There is no limit to what we can do together. The ASYV family stands strong.
Thank you.
The Board of Directors, Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village
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