May–June 2025 | Rwanda - In a continued commitment to holistic youth formation, the Jesuit Urumuri Centre (JUC) carried out a series of impactful school visits across Rwanda throughout May and early June 2025.

These visits were aimed at monitoring the implementation of the AHAPPY Generation Program, an initiative developed by the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) to nurture youth through value-based education rooted in self-awareness, responsibility, and care for others.

During the visits, JUC engaged directly with AHAPPY club members, teachers, and school administrators to assess progress and offer guidance on strengthening the program’s impact. Discussions centered on how AHAPPY is shaping students' moral values and life choices in areas such as HIV/AIDS awareness, drug abuse prevention, and teenage pregnancy—challenges that continue to affect young people across the continent.

Building Identity and Purpose

On 2nd June, JUC visited GS Gihogwe Catholique, leading students through an introspective session on personal growth, values, and the power of their voices in creating positive change. The students were also introduced to the AJAN Creative Writing Competition, a platform encouraging youth to express their life experiences, reflections, and aspirations through poetry, essays, and stories.

Earlier, on 29th May, the team visited GS Kabuye Catholique, focusing on the AHAPPY module “I am a Beloved Creature of God.” Led by Prudence, the session guided students in exploring their unique identity and intrinsic dignity. Students were encouraged to embrace their self-worth not through external validation, but through faith and self-awareness. The creative writing competition was again promoted as a powerful tool for self-expression and empowerment.

Fostering Responsibility and Leadership

The visit to Groupe Scolaire Gahanga 1 on 15th May emphasized leadership among AHAPPY club members. JUC urged students to be ambassadors of the program’s values by modeling positive behavior and promoting peer learning. Teachers and students were also encouraged to collaborate in sustaining a culture of care and accountability.

On 12th May, at GS Nduba Catholique, students engaged in honest dialogue about responsible living and future planning. The conversation was both inspiring and challenging, prompting students to reflect on how their daily decisions shape not only their lives but the broader community around them.

Inspiring Growth and Confidence

A particularly moving session took place on 9th May at Groupe Scolaire Kagugu Catholique, where AHAPPY club members testified to how the program has helped them grow in self-awareness, resilience, and purpose-driven decision-making. Their stories affirmed the transformative power of youth formation when anchored in values.

Finally, on 8th May, JUC visited Groupe Scolaire Remera Catholique, where students expressed how the AHAPPY Program has boosted their confidence and sense of hope. Prudence once again highlighted the AJAN Creative Writing Competition, urging students to participate and make their voices heard.

These school visits form part of JUC’s broader strategy to “Walk with the Youth”—supporting and guiding young people as they navigate a complex world. By reinforcing the AHAPPY Generation Program, JUC ensures that young people in Rwanda are not only equipped with knowledge but also formed in values that inspire dignity, responsibility, and compassion.

As JUC looks to the rest of the year, it remains committed to nurturing a generation of African youth who are confident, morally grounded, and ready to lead their communities with purpose.