I’m writing this on the plane from Brussels to JFK … the last leg of the trip (I’ll post it when I get home).  The four of us have been doing a lot of reminiscing today about some of the most touching moments and some of our funniest moments.  This was a great group to travel with.  We all share a common work ethic … and each have a great sense of humor.  The ASYV was built to deal with one of the worst atrocities that I can imagine and it’s doing a wonderful job.  There are lots of smiles, plenty of laughing, and a real sense that there is hope for every student that is part of the village.  Our ability to laugh with one another helped to keep our spirits light throughout the entire trip.

The purpose of our trip was to work with the Directors of the Village and give them some management and leadership training.  In doing so we were able to connect with them in a way that, I think, showed them that while it’s “all about the kids” there is NO way that it could be happening without all their hard work.  I think some of them were thinking that this was some kind of punishment for not having achieved more thus far.  I used the analogy several times of climbing a mountain.  They’ve come SO FAR in such a short time that it was important to look back at what they’ve achieved as well as look ahead to strategize on what they’re going to need in the future.  This was about helping an already successful team become more successful.  There is no one that thinks it’s going to be easy but the combination of strategic planning along with taking some time to “stop and smell the roses” seemed to make for a very successful visit.

During our final day we met with the entire village staff.  We started in a conference room just off the Dining Hall with Jeff explaining what we had been doing and what we wanted to do with the group for the next hour.  The plan was to take time to look back at our successes as a team.  We split into several groups with someone from our team facilitating along with a translator.  One of the people in my group was Hiram, the kitchen manager.  He was pretty quiet and doesn’t speak much English.  I encouraged him to share what he thinks has been just one of the big successes of this past year.  He thought for a moment and then, in Kinyarwandan, said that the fact that the kids get 3 solid meals that come out on time every day and that there have been NO problems with anyone getting sick from food is a big success.  Everyone loved his answer.  The village is literally nourishing these kids in both body AND soul.

Saying goodbye was tough … but I’m looking forward to getting home.  I have a better sense as to how challenging it’s going to be for the Village over the next 3-4 months … but I’m very excited for them.  The place is literally brimming with life.  The kids are so lively, the farm is springing to life, new infrastructure is being built, grass is being planted … it will continue to be an amazing place.  I got email addresses from a few of the kids that I had connected with.  Many of the counselors and Directors asked for our email addesses so that they can keep in touch with us too.

In five hours I’ll be back in a land where we have SO MUCH of everything.  It’s truly kind of hard to believe that both places exist on the same planet.  I cannot wait to hug my kids, play with the dog, and take a HOT shower.  This experience will never leave me and I hope to get back there to see how much further success they’ve achieved.  Murakoze (thank you) to everyone involved in the ASYV … it is truly helping to “heal the world”.