Before I go into today travel day was SO STRESSFUL as we waited for Colleen Covid test and she had to run and find another 1 hr place in Connecticut. We also waited for the MINDLEAPS person to drop for 2 suitcases filled with dance shoes for us to take. Each eighed about 40 lbs plus we each had our own. Crazy But United Airlines people I must say were kind and very helpful, I mean it! I made some new friends on way to Brussels and once again on way to Kilgali. I wont go into it but I misplaced by boarding pass and could not get it on my phone bc of wifi THEN I misplaced baggage claim ticket and oneof Mind leaps bags was missing!!!!! I do not sleep on planes so I was done! Bag was found and they NEVER asked for covid test!
Today was an incredible way to start this adventure. I had no previous kowledge of this place and come to find it is a huge mountain top village modeled after the kibbutz idea in Israel, from communal eating to communal committment to family. Children between 14-17 who have suffered trauma, who have one or no parents and are most at risk live in this self sustained village- they cultivate and eat only what they raise and grow- They live in little houses all named for someome that they admire in history- they debate over the choices we saw, Claudette Calvin, Mriam Mikiba, Golda Meir and/many more. Each house has a MAMMA- who lives with them Over 90% graduate and go on to college or in business etc. They eplore the arts, music, dance, film etc and the campus has many rooms centered on these individual interests. We happen to have arrived o an auspicious day- the day after graduation (120 kids) and it was alumni day when many of the former students return to be in workshops, presentations, discussion and more. Many donors were also present. There are many volunteers they call COUSINS that stay for a year and work there in the office, or as teachers, or as farmers, whatever is needed.The founder was a woman from South Africa with ties to the Holocaust and to Israel, Ann Heyman- she saw the need when she had visited Rwanda post genocide. Sadly she passed away in an unforeseen accident but her legacy can be seen throughout the campus. One of their mottos is :If you see far you can go far: There are similar affirmations posted everywhere. Presently over 500 students live there, You can google it for more information ASYV.org if you wish, Im posting photos from/today. We met so may wonderful kids full of passion, a thirst for kowledge and not one was on a cell phone during the programs.
We had to leave before all the performances by alumni but on the ampitheater is a quote that translated to :What you feel in your heart you must express in your mouth
Hope you enjoy the photos- we start teaching Wednesday- tomorrow we go to the Gizimba orphanage and then a walking tour dedicated to Women In Rwanda NYAMIRAMBO womens center
Ill post photos tomorrow bc of wifi issues.
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