Tikkun Olam

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" 
- Mr. Rogers

One of my favorite aspects of the village is, without a doubt, the emphasis on Tikkun Olam. From the Hebrew meaning "repairing the world," the concept has been adopted by a variety of faiths and peoples. It is, in essence, any act, big or small, which positively contributes to society. Some view Tikkun Olam as a utilitarian necessity, while others value its effect on one's character. And still others attach a splash of mysticism to it. For me, the beauty of Tikkun Olam is that it encompasses all of these ideas.

From day one, the kids are immediately introduced to Tikkun Olam as part of the village's philosophy. One of the major reasons for this is so that they know the full reason why they were brought to ASYV. Many came from nothing, and are now given opportunities they could never have dreamed of- access to health care, a stellar education, technology, even love. The village strives to help those most vulnerable, but such an opportunity is not a handout. Our goal is to assist and empower all of Rwanda, not just a select few. It is important, then, that these kids realize they were given a responsibility, not a gift. By equipping these students to tackle the nation's most pressing challenges, we are not only attempting to rebuild a nation, but actively teaching the next generation that it has a duty to do so. To quote Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, "Morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”

For mostly logistical reasons, the service projects ASYV undertakes tend to be in the nearby villages. This year alone, students have begun to teach computer skills to local adults, assist in health clinics, lead English-enrichment activities in schools, and build houses for those in need. The latter seems to be the most popular among the kids. Since the village opened its gates five and a half years ago, the kids have built twelve homes in the local community.

Another American volunteer, who accompanies the students on their community service, described what she saw of someone's living conditions (read more here): "...a small house constructed of mud and a tin roof. The current roof is riddled with holes leaving little shelter for the upcoming heavy rainy season. They are without running water, electricity, toilet facilities, furnishings, and often, food." When I heard this, I couldn't help but wonder if this is the type of environment in which some of the kids in my family grew up. Regardless, the students of ASYV jump at the opportunity to make a difference in any way they can.

Introducing Tikkun Olam to Rwandans, as it turns out, was not a difficult task at all. That's because Rwandan culture has had a similar value for centuries: Umuganda. Loosely translated as "coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome," Umuganda began as a custom where members of the community would assist one another in completing difficult tasks. In modern times, the government harnessed the tradition as part of its national development agenda. On the last Saturday of each month, Rwandans between the ages of 18 and 65 are required to participate in community service, often focusing on infrastructure development and environmental protection. Not only does each Rwandan have the privilege of participating in shaping his country, but Umuganda also fosters a tremendous amount of unity and pride. And for those of you who are still skeptical: the value of Rwanda's "Tikkun Olam" initiative to its national development is estimated to have exceeded $60 million USD since 2007.

Toward the end of the book of Exodus, Moses is instructed by God to take a census of the Israelites in the desert. Enigmatically, the method of counting is required to be as follows: each member of the community is to donate a specific sum to the temple. Moses will then sum the contributions and determine the size of the nation. The obvious question is: why such a roundabout way of counting?

To this, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks offers a novel interpretation. A census is usually taken to determine the strength of a nation- militarily, economically, demographically. In all of these arenas, the more the merrier. Traditional thought teaches us that there is strength in numbers. And to this, God responds emphatically: the strength of a people is not in how numerous they are, but in how much they give. Lest one think for even a moment that mere numbers are enough, we are reminded that we are worthless unless we tangibly contribute to society.

It is easy to look at Rwanda and despair. Less than a generation ago, the nation was decimated, both in numbers and in hope. Geographically, the country is so small that on most maps the name "Rwanda" doesn't even fit in its geographic borders. But seen through the lens of Tikkun Olam, the conclusion shifts drastically. The imperative to contribute to humanity, to help anyone in need, to assist in any way possible, isn't just a tendency among Rwandans; it is in their very core. Many challenges still lie ahead for this fledgling nation. But with such indomitable strength, the possibilities are endless.