March newsletter

March, March, March. You know what, I do not march well anymore. I do welcome the month of March because it is the promise of spring around the world. Daffodils show the color of sunrise, and trees begin to bud, robins sing, and life goes on.

I am happy to report that after several tries, our visitors in February returned home safe and sound.

This message from them but not verbatim:

We have arrived back home.

Once again, thank you for your hospitality. Everyone was so kind and helpful. I will miss all those who cooked and served our food, did our laundry, drove us everywhere, showed us the classes, and made us coffee every day. 

The children are delightful and on their way to being educated and responsible people. Your headmaster and teachers are engaged and have a great rapport with the students. The buildings and supplies are wonderful, and we enjoyed playing the math games.

Thanks again. What an experience!

Love from West Virginia

Sharing a memory

In 2023, my American daughter Patricia and I traveled to New Mexico to be present at the wedding of my Rwandan daughter Solange to Mark.

Now in 2026, Patricia has returned to New Mexico to visit her Rwandan sister Solange. So sorry I could not be with them

From left, Mark, Solange, Patricia and Patricia’s husband Dale.

Sewing students met with Mama

Students from the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center arrived at the gate.

Head teacher Epiphanie led her students.

Greeting Mama. I do like the hugs received.

They shared that they would like classes with electric machines to learn on. 

Rwanda now has sufficient electricity, and so the places that hire our students ask if they can operate electric machines. When they say no, the job goes to another person who can.

Our sewing school needs machines that run on electricity. We are looking to purchase electric machines (funding needed) to better equip our students for the job market. I decided, thanks to a donation from Lace Ladies in the UK, to purchase a sample machine. Several machines were evaluated. This machine was chosen. It comes as a unit that includes the work table. It is a beautiful, top-quality machine.

We hope to purchase 14 such machines. Funding appreciated. Basic sewing skills will be taught using the treadle machines, and advanced sewing will be taught using the electric machines. Advancement means better equipment.

A photo with Mama completed their visit.

Learning Center news

We are winners in boys basketball, music, and poem.

National Board President Oswald and Executive Secretary Eric congratulate the winning teams. First position in boys basketball, music, and poem (composition). Quite an accomplishment!

Our boys basketball team won the district title and will advance to compete for the province title. The trophy is special. Coach Olivier is proud of his boys with good reason. They are the best!

The administration treated the team and coaches to Fanta and cookies in celebration.

Music director Emanuel and the winning team.

Our music and poem (composition) team won first place again and moved to the next level. I'm unclear on how this works, but I am not confused that they are in first position. The next competition level is in April. These kids are winners on and off the field of competition.

Second-term competition

Mathematics Competition Day took place for Primary Level 1 through 6.

School competitions prepare our students. Math is such an important subject. Every facet of life uses math in one form or another. Covered in the competition are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, whole numbers, and fractions. Both mental and written math were included.

Students gathered to witness and support this competition.

Assembly for competition.

Individual students responded to math questions using their mental capacity. Then a group also answered on the spot.

Written quiz

Computer programs became a part of the testing in this competition.

Our Primary 6 kids did very well. The computers, a gift from our donors, have made a difference in the lives of our students. We can compete.

Secondary School news

Landscaping is in progress. We also are working on the handicapped walkway.

On March 14, the Ministry of Education came to inspect the new building for accreditation. Here’s some of what they saw:

Room ready for lab equipment.

Classroom desks and chairs, which are a gift from the Forest Hills Rotary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.  The classroom also has shelves, a teacher's desk, and a white board.

Secondary school library. Space for research and study.

The Secondary School girls' uniform was modeled by Primary 6 student Divine. I like the new look.

The Tom Nunnally Sewing Center made this uniform and will continue making uniforms for Urukundo Learning Center students. This is an ongoing program each year. We are blessed to have our Sewing Center and its students.

Landslide problems

This landslide is not on our property but borders our land, as the photo shows. With another heavy rain, the buildings and fence may be on the road. To protect our school, it is up to the Urukundo Foundation to add support to the bank along the road.

Repair in progress. When your land is made up of mountains, you protect your structures. This is an ongoing process.

The stormwater received a passage to the stream (log bridge) at the bottom of the road. Our structures are safe.

Message from Mama

For these many years, Urukundo has expanded one day at a time. With God in charge, our progress has worked well for the children in the Muhanga District.

Now we are working on a five-year plan. OK, we can do that. This plan lets our followers know where we would like to go in the future, not where we will go. God is still and ever will be in charge

  1. Finishing the work started by the team from Hebron Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. We hope to tile the floors and walls as high as 3-year-old hands can reach in the five rooms in the daycare. Three are done; two more to go. Tiles make painting every year no longer necessary. Tile washes. Practical.

  2. Fencing the remaining part of Urukundo’s property. 

  3. Electric sewing machines for the Nunnally Sewing Center.

  4. Constructing a gymnasium for indoor sports on the present basketball court.

If you find one of these plans to your liking, you can designate where you would like your gift to be used. Undesignated funds will be used where needed.

Thank you, one and all.

Love,

Mama