From Mike: so much has changed in two years

[Editor's note: Mike first visited the ASYV in June 2009. Here he recounts the changes he's seen since that first trip.]

Upon entering Kigali there are new construction projects and repaired neighborhoods throughout the city as well as newly installed traffic lights that look like they were probably designed in Darien. The Rwandan government seems to be doing something right with their economic plan (7% GDP growth in 2011). One constant is the kindness clearly apparent in the Rwandan people. Rwanda has the ability to immediately displace you from your life and psyche, more unique and genuine a place than anywhere I’ve been.

An hour outside of Kigali, Agahozo-Shalom has experienced a similar transformation. As you enter via a new road (created in one week) and gate into the village, the increase of activity is astonishing. Three times as many impacted kids now call the village home, living among twice the number of buildings and a fully developed farm with accompanying cattle pen and chicken egg operation. The crispness of the green landscape, orange clay and endless hills in the distance is not even close to fairly represented in any picture or video. I had forgotten how ridiculous it is. But as soon as you take your first stroll around the village, the most striking thing is the feeling you get from the kids. Totally happy, normal kids hanging out outside, pumped about finals being over. They have arrived each January the last three years in groups of 125 from the streets and rural ghettos of an already poor country. Many exhibiting legitimate Post Traumatic Stress symptoms (28% of all Rwandans have experienced enough trauma to clinically be considered for PTSD post-genocide) but all in desperate need of the restoration and hope that ASYV strives to create.

We have spent much of our time this week working with the village leadership on re-organizing and improving in order to adapt to the increased challenges created by the new breadth of the operation. The ASYV now operates as a fully functional, independent entity (LN’s share of village revenue has dropped to ~10%). A staff of over 100 join the 375 kids (500 in December) to form a formidable organization in just the few years it has existed. Meetings this week with potential revenue generating partners in IT and Agriculture show what a force this has become in Rwanda. It is impressive to see. A school, home, and community all in one…..and all completed on schedule. As such, integrating a new board of directors, meeting new financial responsibilities and managing egos have become considerations. One thing remains abundantly clear though…the existence of a single mission by all involved to ensure each kid can maximize his potential and that every decision is made in the best interest of these kids.

And every day, you are blindsided by just how worth it this project is. Running at 6am with all 375 kids in their weekly Muchaka-Muchaka jog, chatting with kids you haven’t seen in two years who are so psyched you may possibly remember them all the way in America but are also concerned as to why you think supporting Libya is really sound, watching a group of 10 students walk 2 miles on the day after finals to finish building a new house for an elderly woman being kicked out of her mud hut…..only because it’s the right thing to do. Because they live the credo of repairing and enhancing their own self via helping others. Their daily caring for eachother, their shared rising from a difficult place, their ability to recognize the pain they still endure through singing, theater and painting is as touching as it gets. The performances and songs usually center around the loss of their parents and their continual attempts to make them proud. Their athletic satisfaction from a defensive rebound, taking someone to the hole, a monstrous volleyball spike or clever football touch all are done with this pride.

Next year is the final year for the first class before they head out to the real world. Maybe half will make it to a university (Rwandan average for high school grads is ~5%), so the key component being added to the curriculum next year is professional-related skills. Again, maximizing the potential of each kid is highest goal.

It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to articulate the impact the ASYV has had on these kids. You have to see and experience it to really get it. I truly would suggest it. It puts a lot of the other stuff into perspective.