Tulane Study Proves ASYV's Incredible Impact on Our Students
Read a summary of the Tulane analysis.
Since the founding of the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village (ASYV), we’ve had a vision for a better future—one in which our model can reach young people in need of healing, education, and love across Rwanda, the region, and one day, the globe. I’m thrilled to share that now, thanks to an analysis conducted in partnership with faculty and staff from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, we’re close to making that dream a reality.
The two-year study analyzed how our model impacts our students, proving what we’ve always known from watching our young people heal and thrive. Among other findings, the study compared alumni who graduated from ASYV in 2018 or earlier to students from similar backgrounds who did not attend ASYV, and showed that our alumni were nearly twice as likely to complete higher education and be employed. In addition, 26% more of our graduates enjoyed a "good" or “very good” quality of life.
Employers reported that our graduates had better technical, leadership, teamwork, and writing skills than their co-workers in similar positions. Due to this incredible impact, the report recommends that we train other organizations and educators in our approach and philosophies by becoming a Center of Excellence. You can view the full summary of the report’s findings and recommendations here.
This rigorous academic analysis proving ASYV’s impact is truly transformative. We've already begun developing new trainings and programs that will share our model with other communities navigating societal trauma. We’re also using the data to refine our existing program to better meet our students’ needs in areas from gender equity to career readiness.
The Tulane team, led by Associate Professor Nancy Mock, DrPH, will present the study findings publicly for the first time at the American Public Health Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo, taking place November 2–5, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Mock and her team set out to collect more than data. They set out to, as she put it, “capture the essence of the Village.” We’re so grateful for their incredible collaboration, the Five Together Foundation’s pivotal support of the study, and the increased healing, education, and love they both will enable.