On the 10th Anniversary of Anne Heyman's Passing

Dear Friend,

There are too many emotions for me to process that 10 years ago today Anne was taken from me, our families and friends, the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV), and the world. In just about every news cycle, my thoughts always drift to the idea that somehow the world would be in a better place if Anne was still here. I don’t know how that would be, but I know Anne would.  

Anne Heyman (right) founded the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.

I believe the most authentic way to honor and cherish Anne's memory is to keep transforming tragedy into a powerful force for positivity and lasting impact. Anne was a visionary leader who possessed an unwavering compassion and an unyielding commitment to helping others—with her greatest efforts placed into providing a nurturing and supportive haven for orphaned and vulnerable youth in Rwanda. Through her exceptional dedication, Anne's vision materialized into ASYV, a place where healing and growth intertwine harmoniously. Even all this time after her passing, her spirit continues to touch lives in Rwanda, the Jewish community, and around the world.

Anne's legacy lies in the love, care, and warmth that resonates within the hearts of the kids who have experienced her tender guidance. Anne was more than the founder of ASYV, she was a mother to its kids. And just as we hope that our children will one day grow beyond us, Anne had faith that the graduates of ASYV would go on to make the world a better place. I’d like to invite you to watch this video that the students, staff, and graduates of ASYV have prepared reflecting on the impact Anne had on their lives, and how they intend to pay it forward.

Though Anne’s vision for ASYV was vast, and would be impossible without the contributions of hundreds of hardworking people, the special connection she had with the Village’s Family Mamas cannot be overstated. As the mother of our own children, Anne knew the strength of character, unconditional love, dedication, and grit needed to raise a family under even the best of circumstances.

One can only imagine the skills needed to raise 20 kids at once, ones selected from the nation’s most vulnerable and most traumatized, and to help them heal and grow into resilient adults. Anne loved spending hours with these remarkable women, getting to know them and their struggles, and working with them to figure out the best way we could give them our support. 

Thank you for being part of the ASYV family, for keeping the spirit of Anne alive and well, and for your continued support of the kids of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.  

With heartfelt gratitude, 

Seth Merrin