Dear Family and Friends,

I am fundraising for the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) in Rwanda, where our eldest daughter Annie was living and working this year. 

The village was set up in response to the orphan crisis that crippled Rwanda following the 1994 genocide. Today, the village takes in students aged between 15 and 18 who have lost at least one parent, and have been identified as some of the country's most vulnerable youth. 

The community is built on seven core values; support, respect, learning community, commitment, role model, integrity and interest of the child. 

ASYV truly transforms lives, helping its students to heal from past trauma by placing them in family units and providing holistic support and an inspiring formal education. Their ultimate aim is to develop responsible citizens, who will go on to help others and improve the world. 

When Coronavirus reached Rwanda the government immediately shut all schools, meaning ASYV had no choice but to send their students home for an unknown period of time. For many students, this means living in a child-headed household, lacking food and running water, or caring for critically ill family members. 

Assisted by our youngest daughter Kate, I have put together a collection of my paintings to share, showing some of the many exciting journeys I have been lucky enough to enjoy, as a thank you for your donation.

Please feel free to share this with your friends. 

Vicky x

Annie’s Blog - https://annieinrwanda.blogspot.com

Vicky’s Paintings - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U39jUGqO7dM_0CLHbXCpmLXuDdltcAgENtCfRvVcNT4/edit?usp=sharing