A Summer of Growth and the New Chapter Ahead

A Note on ASYV's Next Chapter

Dear ASYV Family,

ASYV is undergoing an important transition. The Board of Directors has voted to pursue a move from an international non-governmental organization to a locally registered Rwandan entity. Greater Rwandan-based leadership and ownership has always been at the heart of the Village's founding vision. Through it all, our commitment to the students currently at the Village and to vulnerable Rwandan youth remains unchanged. We will continue sharing updates as this next chapter takes shape. Questions are always welcome at info@asyv.org. Your support during this time means more than ever.

With much gratitude,

JC Nkulikiyimfura, CEO

Welcome Back to Our Students!

We were thrilled to welcome 385 ASYV students back to their Village home on Friday, September 4th for the 2026-2027 academic year. After reuniting with their families and settling in, students were welcomed by CEO JC Nkulikiyimfura who spoke about some key focus areas for the year: learning, growth, and adaptability.

On Monday, each grade took part in mental health workshops and discussed their holidays – including successes and challenges. Formal classes resumed on September 8th.

When asked about their hopes for the coming year, our Mamas and students shared:

“The main thing I am carrying with me into the academic year is resilience, as I am studying a pathway which seems to be tough yet I should keep pushing and never give up.” – Benat Hakizimana Ngabe, second-year student (ASYV Class of 2029)

“It was very exciting running to my family and hugging them [when we arrived back at the Village]. This year, I aim to advance my coding skills through the Coding Club and to give my 100% in everything that I will be doing.” – Benitha Keza Rugamba, second-year student (ASYV Class of 2029)

“My goal is to encourage students to work together as a family in everything they do, ensuring that no one is left behind. Everyone should feel included, valued, supported, and responsible for contributing to the success and well-being of the whole community.” – Mama Immaculee

“I would like to continue strengthening the relationships between myself and the students under my care, as well as maintaining positive and constructive relationships with their [biological] parents [and guardians]. I also want to continue following up on the commitments and goals we have established together, ensuring that they are translated into concrete actions and measurable progress.” – Mama Emmerance

A Busy Summer—On and Off Campus

Although our school year ended on June 30th, the Village continued to buzz with activity through the summer months. ASYV students were involved in a variety of programs on and off campus, including summer jobs and internships, and learning opportunities covering sectors from technology to culinary arts to storytelling.

Below are a few of the exciting programs ASYV and our students were a part of this summer.

On Campus

The Ikaze Refugee Impact Scholarship (IRIS) Year Two Launch

This August, in partnership with Isomo Community Circles and with funding from The Shapiro Foundation, ASYV launched its second year of IRIS, a program that identifies high-potential refugee students and prepares them to excel in Rwanda's top secondary schools and beyond. Our first cohort of 50 students completed a year focused on confidence-building and resilience, and will continue in the program through 2028. We also welcomed our second cohort of 100 students, who began their IRIS journey with a five-day orientation "boot camp" covering computer skills, English instruction, career pathways guidance, and cohort bonding.

Check out a video recap of the Teacher Training Program here.

Day of AI Teaching Training Program

From August 10–13, ASYV partnered with Day of AI to host 110 teachers and school leaders from private schools across Rwanda (including twelve educators from ASYV) for a four-day training in AI literacy, ethical understanding, and classroom integration, held at ASYV's Intore Learning Community.

The Village also hosted hundreds of additional visiting students and guests this summer, including Bridge2Rwanda's Isomo Academy, an ASYV Coding Boot Camp, and Solidact Foundation's 3-day Rise & Shine Summer Camp, which brought nearly 200 young students from vulnerable backgrounds to the Village, along with church retreats and other groups.

We're deeply grateful to the committed staff and partners who made these programs possible, including The Shapiro Foundation, Bridge2Rwanda, Day of AI, Solidact Foundation, and several ASYV alumni who supported and co-facilitated these initiatives.

Off Campus

Internship and Job Highlights

Patience Uwase, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027) Internship: Finance & Accounting Intern at Neotix Robotics Rwanda Ltd.

As a Finance & Accounting Intern, Patience engaged in research and reporting to support the company's drafting of standard operating procedures on topics from inventory management to procurement and audit trails.

"The experience showed me that economics is broad, and it also helped me see how my interest in computer science can connect with it." – Patience

Gasana Ineza Shukuru Gabriel, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027) Internship: Photography & Event Support, Abatanguha Dance Company

Gabriel supported Abatanguha Dance Company working as both a photographer and logistics coordinator, an experience that shifted his career ambitions from banking toward film and media.

“An unpaid opportunity can still create something valuable for your future.” – Gabriel

Impano Nancy Brunella, Third-year student (Class of 2028) Internship: Intern at Ethnographic Museum in Huye

Brunella created her own opportunity by walking into the Ethnographic Museum in Huye and asking whether she could intern. After the CRC prepared a recommendation letter, she spent three weeks helping conserve museum materials, including animal skins, and guiding tourists through the exhibits. The experience deepened her knowledge of pre- and post-colonial Rwandan history, and she returned to school with plenty of stories to share with classmates, nieces and nephews.

“The internship expanded my knowledge of Rwanda's history and gave me so much that I can now share with others.” – Brunella

Kagame Junior, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027) Internship: Office Assistant, SteelRwa

Junior heard about an opening while dropping off items at SteelRwa, introduced himself as a student on holiday and made his case in English. He was hired on the spot. Organizing the documents and procurement files sent to the company's head office in Kigali, he worked as a staff member rather than an intern and had to learn quickly on his own. The experience taught him that opportunities don't always come through formal applications: sometimes you have to recognize an opening and speak up.

“I learned that it was up to me to find an opportunity. You have to speak up and fight for opportunities instead of waiting for them.” – Junior

Moses Kumbusho, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027)
Summer Job: Karate Instructor

Moses spent his summer as a paid karate instructor at two clubs in Kabuga, Kigali, training students between the ages of 7 and 18. He found that he was becoming a mentor as well as an instructor, as students grew comfortable enough to share their personal experiences and concerns. Managing groups with different needs, especially younger learners with short attention spans, strengthened his patience and taught him about prioritization and responsibility.

"Working with the children showed me that I could be more than an instructor. I could also be a mentor." – Moses

Niquita Kanyana, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027)
Intern, Wihogora Psychological Center

Niquita interned at Wihogora Psychological Center in Kigali, an opportunity she found through one of ASYV's psychosocial workers. She joined the center's Zero Screening Program, which helps children cut back on screen time during the holidays through games and sessions on etiquette, hygiene and personal development. Working with confident, strong-willed children built her patience and taught her to adapt when a job doesn't match her expectations. The internship confirmed her interest in psychology and showed her how many paths exist within it.

"The experience confirmed my interest in psychology, but it also showed me how many different paths exist within the field." – Niquita

Djibril Mugisha, Third-year student (Class of 2028)
Robotics Intern, Neotix Robotics Rwanda Ltd.

Djibril stood out among the candidates for a Neotix internship by introducing himself to an ASYV alumnus and manager at the company during the Alumni Reunion. Over two months, he helped train robot models, including one that learned to peel fruit. At 18, he was the youngest person on the team, and alumni colleagues helped him learn the company's procedures. Robot-training tasks rarely worked on the first try, and that taught him persistence, a mindset he has carried back into his math and science classes.

"When you have only one choice, you have to ensure that it works." – Djibril

Dominique Savio Xavior, Fourth-year student (Class of 2027)
Technology Intern, Neotix Robotics Rwanda Ltd.

Dominique was selected for a Neotix internship from roughly 100 applicants through the CRC. He worked alongside young professionals with master's degrees in mathematics, physics and engineering, which gave him a clearer picture of his own future. Technically, he discovered that software can also control hardware. Professionally, he learned that letting the quality of his work speak for itself is more effective than constantly trying to show what he knows. His first salary went toward a phone and a laptop repair, and watching colleagues who worked multiple jobs pushed him to raise his own ambitions.

"I thought I worked hard until I met people working ten times harder." – Dominique

Alumni Spotlight: Ignace Kwizera, Class of 2023
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Ireme Hub

Alum Ignace Kwizera is the co-founder and COO of Ireme Hub, an organization teaching young Rwandans robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and problem-solving skills through hands-on programs. This summer, his company led a technology bootcamp for young people ages 5-19, including ASYV students.

"Learning by doing means developing real-life solutions for real-life problems." – Ignace

Programs and Events

Yale Young African Scholars in Nairobi

Youth Ambassadors Africa Programme (YA-Africa)

ASYV student Irakoze Sarah Divine and ASYV Student Life Director Brenda Iraba represented Rwanda at the Youth Ambassadors Africa Programme (YA-Africa), a youth leadership and cultural exchange initiative of the U.S. State Department that brought together high school students and adult participants from across Africa for a program in the United States this July.