Our donors and partners are more than supporters - they make the dream of ASYV a reality. Thank you to all of our ASYV family for making a difference in the lives of our students.
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Supporter spotlight
The ASYV Alumni Aliveness Society
“Over the years, we’ve watched people come from far and wide to support the Village—and we, as direct beneficiaries, wanted to create something meaningful that gives back. ASYV gave us hope, education, purpose, and direction—and this is our way of honoring that gift.”
When Turatsinze Edmond and Hegenimana Jean de Dieu, called Mabubu, were students at ASYV, they met visitors who’d travelled to the Village from around the world. This sparked their shared passion for showcasing Rwanda and welcoming people to their country. Both also felt eager to contribute to Rwanda's growing tourism industry.
While pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kigali, Edmond started the tourism company Go Discover Africa. After receiving his own degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Vatel International School, Mabubu joined him in the enterprise. Together, they began offering tours of Rwanda. “We believed that storytelling, hosting, and connecting cultures could be both meaningful and impactful,” says Mabubu. “We saw an opportunity to turn our passion into a business that also aligns with national development goals.”
Edmond and Mabubu have continued to bond with visitors to the Village, now as their professional guides to attractions throughout Rwanda. Go Discover also employs multiple ASYV alumni, and Edmond and Mabubu often return to the Village to mentor ASYV students.
In 2024, the duo decided they wanted to do something new to support ASYV. They wanted to create a pathway for more and more alumni to empower the next generation of ASYV students. The Aliveness Society, an alumni giving group, was born. Today, 110 alumni and counting have pledged donations to the Village through the society. In addition to raising funds to support their younger ASYV brothers and sisters, Edmond and Mabubu plan for the group to host events to connect alumni to each other and to employment opportunities. “The Aliveness Society is not just about money. It’s about presence, mentorship, and ownership of the legacy we come from,” says Mabubu.
Go Discover is also thriving. The business has expanded to offer adventures in countries throughout East Africa. From the Aliveness Society to the tourism sector, Edmond and Mabubu are building a legacy and a better future. Thank you for your support!
Legacy giving spotlight: Phyllis Lerner
“I really want the Village to be part of my life and my legacy.”
Phyllis Lerner first visited the Village in 2016. When she arrived, the staff and kids asked her what she’d like to be called. “I said, this is a family, I want to be Auntie,” she recalls. She has been known throughout the ASYV community as Auntie Phyllis ever since.
A career educator, Phyllis has worked internationally with adolescents and teachers in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, India, and in Burmese refugee camps in Thailand. She was a faculty associate at Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Education, working with Teach For America, from 2009 until retiring in 2024.
Recently, Phyllis made the decision to add ASYV to her estate plan, joining our Umurage Legacy Circle. Umurage means legacy in Kinyarwanda, and the members of our Legacy Circle are creating a lasting legacy of healing, education, and love. By planning a future gift to ASYV through their estates, members like Phyllis help ensure that we can serve vulnerable youth in Rwanda for generations.
Auntie Phyllis has truly made ASYV part of her family. She has volunteered in the Village for 10 school terms. During each visit, she applies her educational expertise—and spends plenty of time bonding with our kids.
From the time I met Auntie Phyllis at ASYV, she carried a mix of kindness and strength that made me believe in myself. She was always intentional about our education and growth." – Fabrice Mpozenzi, ASYV Class of 2019, Abilene Christian University Class of 2025
Early on, Phyllis collaborated with our Village educators to integrate effective practices, including gender equity, and ASYV’s Core Values into their lesson plans. She also visited classrooms throughout Rwanda to better understand the national education system.
Phyllis has continued working with ASYV staff on a number of projects. But her favorite activities, she says, involve plenty of “silliness”—such as helping to organize scavenger hunts for our kids that use English vocabulary words. When asked what keeps her coming back to the Village, Phyllis says, “I love it. The integration of work with healing and love is definitely me.”
“From the time I met Auntie Phyllis at ASYV, she carried a mix of kindness and strength that made me believe in myself. She was always intentional about our education and growth.”
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