One of my favorite activities in the village is Tikkun Olam. In Hebrew it means repairing the world. It has come to mean doing good things for others. In Judaism there’s an idea that a butterfly flapping its wings half way around the world can have an impact even if it is in a very small away. Here’s also an idea that even those that have nothing should even find something to give for contribute. The kids have also embraced the idea of tikkun olam and even talk about doing some kind of tikkun olam when they are home on vacation. The first year the students arrive, the concentration is on tikkun ha’lev…this emphasis is on repairing oneself. The second is about tikkun olam. It’s amazing to hear the excitement for helping others…what a brilliant idea!
The students at ASYV work in 3 different places in Rubona for tikkun olam…the clinic, the school, and at people’s homes. We had a celebration to acknowledge the hard work in those areas. The celebration was equipped with traditional dancing, a drama performance, speeches, and pictures. They also raised money for the village. I thought some of the counselors came up with a brilliant idea. At first, they were just asking people for money and then they announced a little competition. If one of the counselors collected the most money, he would win the sun glasses of the other counselor in the competition. The two had a fierce competition. Students, other counselors, house mothers, and others began going to the microphone and pledging money for the one they thought should win. I asked all the kids who I was sitting around who I would pledge my money to win the glasses. One of the counselors was behind who they said that I should give to him to make it more of a completion. I thought they were smart in suggesting that. I went up in front of everyone to the microphone and told everyone who I was supporting. I explained to the crowd that I asked the kids around me who would look better in the glasses and that’s how I chose. What a wonderful event that the tikkun olam group sponsored…I was so impressed by the student’s willingness to give for others. This is a concept that I have found to be foreign in Rwandan culture.
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