We welcomed a team of three volunteers from the USA in September. The team was led by Ruby Soso from Maine. She was joined by her sister Cassi Ney from Pennsylvania and their cousin Barbara Campbell from New Jersey. Ruby was pastor at Wrightsville Hope United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania 20 years ago when I started my ministry. My visit was to ask the church for prayers and support. Ruby and I became fast friends. This visit to Urukundo Foundation was a long-time dream for Ruby and her husband Jim. Regretfully, because of health problems, Jim was not able to make the trip this time. It is my hope Ruby and the team will return at a later date and Jim will be an addition so that he will experience Urukundo and beautiful Rwanda.
From left, Barb, Cassi, and Ruby.
What a great together time for the three of them! Lots of do-you-remember-when conversations at the breakfast table.
A snack for our visitors: jelly roll and passion fruit juice.
The volunteers helped out in the daycare.
Notice the wall decorations in the daycare dining room.
It takes many hands at lunchtime in the daycare. Volunteers are a blessing.
Playtime is also fun.
Barb and Ruby also visited the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center. Teacher Epyphinie shared the procedures.
Choosing materials
Some of the colorful prints from local vendors
Placing orders for garments is essential. Our sewing center can use the revenue.
Our volunteers often bring supplies for our school and daycare in suitcases.
The volunteers helped to unpack and sort materials they brought to share from the USA.
This help is so special and needed. Less work for me.
Teachers came to the import room to inspect new books and get needed supplies.
Events can be a source of revenue. Our volunteers witnessed the decorations for a wedding celebration in Hope Made Real House. Each wedding party decorates as is appropriate for their color scheme.
The decorators wanted to be in the photo.
Now this is new: a pocket Frisbee. Ruby is doing her best to teach how this works. Kids are not sure about it. Neither am I.
Our September volunteers are here until Oct. 7. Look for an update on their activities with our students in the October newsletter.