Visitors

What could be more wonderful than to have two daughters come home at the same time? That happened to me in September.

My Rwandan daughter Solange arrived on Sept. 16.

Read about her in my book “Hope Made Real: The Story of Mama Arlene and the Children of Urukundo” on Page 74. Her story is unique. She moved from Rwanda to McAllen, Texas, when she was about 13. She became a citizen of the USA and now lives in New Mexico, USA. This was her first visit home since leaving Urukundo as a little girl.

Accompanying Solange were her fiance Mark and his sister Ana. Solange was surprised at the many changes at Urukundo and in Rwanda. While at Urukundo, they visited Akagera National Park and the King’s Palace at Nyanza.

Urukundo Director Jean Marie (right) led them on a tour of Urukundo.

They stopped at the new dental facility.

The day care children greeted Mark.

Solange got lots of hugs from staff who knew her as a little girl.

They are hikers and sightseers. Solange enjoyed showing her guests her country, Rwanda.

Aline walked with them.

The next daughter to arrive was my youngest daughter, Jacque, who arrived on Sept. 18. I do have three daughters in the USA plus two daughters-in-law.

Jacque was accompanied by her husband, Sean. His smiling face made my heart sing.

Spending time with the little ones at the daycare was a highlight in their visit.

Daycare manager Anitha looks on with an approving smile.

A special vehicle is needed for a visit to Akagera National Park and the King's Palace Museum.

Urukundo has access to such a vehicle through Let’s Go There Africa.

So much to see and do. My favorite photo is my son-in-law and the big horned cow.

Sean petting the royal cow at the King's Palace.

Notice he did not pet the elephants at Akagera National Park.

August 2022 Newsletter

No one is indispensable, and I am delighted to share with you, my followers, that the Urukundo Foundation functions very well when I am not functioning.

August has been interesting. Healthwise for me, it was scary. I have had many cough and cold episodes. In Rwanda, it was seasonal. With so many seasonal changes in Rwanda, the bug did not just go away as it usually did. It decided to hang around and introduce a friend. That friend’s name is pneumonia. Yes, I have had the pneumonia shot along with many other shots and that shot probably helped me survive. But it did not keep me from the infection.

Being a stubborn woman, I chose not to seek medical help and so allowed the infection to become severe. Two weeks after a hospital stay of six days, I am back home and healthy again.

Lesson learned: At any age, do not be your own doctor.

The proof is in the pudding.

Celebrating

Three busloads of Urukundo employees were treated to a day trip to Gisenyi, the resort capital of Rwanda, to celebrate the successful end of the school year. This trip was Urukundo’s thank you for a year of achievement, and all employees participated. It was a day to relax and enjoy.

Buses stopped for a short break.

Taking a break is a good time for photos.

A good time was had by all.

From my window

Last night, I watched the most beautiful sunset out my office window. It dazzled the senses.

This residence and my window are opening a whole new world to me.

In the early morning, I watch the children on their way to school. They are such a happy bunch.

All morning long, I see the playground full of children and their activities. Kids of all sizes and shapes participate in many activities.

Today I watched a game of passing the baton. That game consists of two equal teams on opposite ends of a field. The goal is for each team member to carry the baton and run as fast as possible around the opposite team, return to their team, pass the baton to the next runner and continue this until all on the team have made the run. Of course, the team that finishes first is the winner. I remember playing this same game when I was a kid. I hope you do too.

When I do not go to the dining room to help serve the kids lunch, my window is the perfect place to watch hungry children come running to get to the food waiting for them.

It is fun to see older children taking the hands of younger children and walking them to lunch.

Outside the lunchroom, they wash their hands and shake them dry.

Then they go into the dining room where their food is already waiting for them. There are no pre-arranged seating positions. They are seated as they come in. Amazing to me is the fact that there is no “I want to sit here” or “I want to sit there” or “I want to sit with so and so.” They simply set where our manager Delphine guides them. These kids are wonderful.

I can also watch my dog on her adventures.

Ollie walks Soso to school and returns to guard my office door.

Ollie is a protector.

During the day and into the night, my window is the showcase for the drones that deliver medicines, blood and strategic supplies to many parts of Rwanda. It is best after 6 p.m. because it is dark, and the red and green lights on the drones flash across the sky.

The drone was there, but it was faster than my finger on the button. The evening sky is beautiful.

My window into the world is amazing. Don’t you agree?

Sports Day

Feb. 19 was Sports Day at Urukundo Foundation.

Volleyball and footeball (soccer) were the games to be played. The teams were made up of teachers and parents.

Teachers’ volleyball team

Parents’ volleyball team

To play on the parents’ team you must have a child enrolled in Urukundo Learning Center.

Teachers in black, parents in yellow. Notice the referee standing on a chair. It was a close match. The parents were the winners.

A group photo. I got to pose with both teams.

Teachers’ soccer team.

Parents’ soccer team.

This game ended in a tie. That was good for me. No winner. No loser. Just good exercise.

Closing thoughts

This has been a very interesting month at Urukundo. A new residence in progress, our first visitor in more than a year, memories awakened from 2002. So many things have happened in such a short time.

I do hope, my dear friends, you know how much I appreciate being able to share it all with you.

Much love,

Mama

April 2021 Newsletter

Greetings from Mama Arlene

April is the month of new beginnings. Well, for Urukundo, it is a month of developing a new system for our kitchen. Thanks to some early gifts, we were able to start. We will continue as funding becomes available. After much discussion, the decision was made. Considering the health problems for our employees breathing smoke and the environmental effects of destroying our forests for firewood, we decided to go ahead with installing the propane gas for cooking.

We will rebuild the kitchen when funds are available. Yes, it truly is a new beginning. For months, I have been anticipating what changing from wood to propane gas might be like. Well, dear friends and family, here in pictures is the answer. In capital letters, I declare: ANOTHER HOPE MADE REAL.

Propane tank arrives.

It takes a lot of men to lift such a heavy object.

OK. Job well done. Tank off of the truck.

Celebration of another Hope Made Real.

A platform was built. The tank now has a permanent resting place.

We must protect our neighbor and secure the land where the propane tank rests. It would not be good to one day find our tank sitting on our neighbor’s property. Yes, a retaining wall and a fence to protect the tank for safety reasons are necessary.

Tanker arrives for the first time to fill our tank.

We have gas.

Protection for the tank.

The tank has its protective house. Painted blue, of course.

Kids shop

New backpacks were the order of the day.

Backpacks and school shoes all in one shopping trip. A successful trip for Diane, Benita and Joyce.

In closing, sharing a laugh

Everyone needs a chuckle from time to time. Happy laughter is good medicine.

Having a sense of humor is an essential requirement when living in Rwanda.

I have found a small shop in town where small cups of ice cream can be purchased. I love ice cream. Especially vanilla.

Did you know that if you go shopping in Rwanda and you buy small cups of ice cream for Mom, then proceed to stop at several markets for other items before going home, you will not have ice cream an hour later? You will have a flavor-of-the-month container of milk? My secretary, Eric, found that out this month. Well, now he knows that you purchase the ice cream last, then go straight home.

I didn’t have ice cream, but I did have a good laugh.

Mama Arlene