HMS Donates To Rwanda Orphans

During the course of just 100 days in 1994, over 800,000 people were killed in the Rwandan Genocide, which left even more people displaced, a country in ruins, and nearly 1.2 million children orphaned. These children were not only robbed of their families, of their homes, and of their communities, but also of their hope for a viable future.

Through these horrific events, the people of Rwanda and volunteers have brought a small glimmer of hope to a country desperately in need of help.

In November of 2005, Anne Heyman and her husband Seth created the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village (ASYV). The ASYV was created to give shelter and solace to the millions of orphaned children left after the genocide.

The Agahozo Shalom Youth Village (ASYV) aims to create a safe and structured residential community for orphaned children in Rwanda. The village is a place of hope, where traumatized youth can "dry their tears" (Agahozo) and "live in peace" (Shalom).

The ASYV is an amazing project designed to build a village for 500 Rwandan orphans. They are taking 4 high school aged children, (who have been orphaned by genocide) from every town in Rwanda, in hopes to provide them with a safe environment in which they can learn, heal and grow.

The Village is situated on 143 acres of land that overlooks Lake Mugesera in Rwanda's Eastern Province and includes 32 group homes, a high school, science and computer labs, land for organic farming, a reforestation program, dining hall, counseling and medical facilities, and recreational fields. This comprehensive living and learning community provides security, structure, and unconditional support for young people who desperately need a healing environment.

The first 125 students, whose ranks will eventually grow to 500, moved into the Village in December 2008, and now call it home.

The magnitude of this project requires help from the global community and HMS is is proud to be a part of such a worthy cause. HMS is donating 180 24 Quart Handled Wastebaskets to the ASYV to help further the cause.

If you would like to read more about the history of Rwanda, the recent events and the efforts of the ASYV click on the links below.

::Links::

Agahozo Shalom Youth Village
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