The Agahozo-Shalom youth village: community development for Rwandan orphans and its impact on orphaned genocide survivors

This article profiles the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda, a holistic response to the needs of Rwandan orphns. It places particular emphasis on the positive impact of the Village or orphans who survived the genocide and explores their unique circumstances and the social challenges and distinct vulnerabilities they face. It examines the philosophy, educational values, practical challenges of the Village and the full range of programmes it offers and the various ways in which the Village enables the healing, rehabilitation and empowerment of orphans enabling them to integrate into Rwandan society and benefit from and contribute to Rwanda's development. © 2011 SAGE Publications.