Celebrations

Beautiful weddings

This wedding took place at Urukundo Hopemadereal (HMR) House on July 23. The groom is Eric, my executive secretary. His lovely bride is Noella. I was not able to get a good photo as my camera malfunctioned. This photo was just sent to me, so I want to share it with you. Better late than never.

We had another special wedding.

When Urukundo opened the Learning Center in 2011, David was one of our first teachers. After several years, David moved on in his career. It was a pleasant surprise when David and his bride-to-be chose to have their wedding celebration at the Urukundo HMR House.

Regretfully, the wedding took place at the same time as pneumonia put me in the hospital so I did not attend the wedding. After their honeymoon, David came to visit me. I was so pleased with his kind consideration. We had a nice visit and he promised to bring his bride on his next visit.

Mama and David

Baby news

Our staff, along with my daughter Jacque, celebrated this blessed event.

My assistant Olive gave birth on Sept. 14 to a beautiful baby girl.

Mama Olive, Papa Guy, Jacque and baby Linn. Linn shares her birthday with Jacque. I know because I was there for Jacque’s birth. Awesome that Jacque happened to be here just after the birth.

Her name is MWIZA Linn Tiana Fogang. A lot of names for such a little girl. MWIZA in Kinyarwanda means beautiful.

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August 2022 Newsletter

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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.

Weddings in August

I am starting a portfolio of wedding decorations at the Hopemadereal (HMR) House.

I am fascinated with the many different ways brides decorate the HMR House for their weddings and thought you, my friends, might like to see them. The families of the wedding party bring the decorations and do the decorating before and dismantling after the celebration. Each one is unique to the bride and her family.

This one is quite simple but lovely.

Gold seems to be the theme for this one. Notice the lanterns.

Red is the central color beginning with red roses and red tablecloths.

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Karate kids

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Because of Covid-19, it has been a long time since recognition has been given to our karate kids. They continue to advance in skill. Congratulations, kids.

Proud mom honors her karate kid.

Mom and dad are pleased.

A certificate was presented with a dad sharing the moment.

Another proud dad.

Olive presents a certificate with karate master Eugene watching. Eugene is also our farm manager.

Certificates awarded.

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Graduation

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In the past, our graduation has been in November. Rwanda has long been trying to change the school year from January to November to September to June. The school year missed because of Covid-19 allowed that to happen.

Yes, our school year now is in sync with other countries. Is it a better plan? We will see.

Practicing begins for graduation. The basketball field works well.

The kids worked hard to present their talents and knowledge to parents and friends.

Primary 6 ready and waiting.

Quote from a student: “We are ready. We will show our parents and friends what we have learned during our school years.”

We present to you, our followers, a taste of the graduation, hoping you will read our Special Report for a more comprehensive visit.

Our traditional dancers.

The Sewing Center models.

Kindergarten graduates.

There is much more. Be sure to visit the Urukundo Graduation 2022 Special!

A special wedding

We had a special wedding and reception at Home Made Real House. Executive Secretary Eric married the love of his life, Noella, on July 23. All Urukundo staff celebrated with them.

Honored guests.

Wedding guests visit Mama’s house to view the pictures of animals. Elephant, giraffe, zebra and gorilla. Out of camera range is a lion.

Our ladies dress very elegantly in the traditional wedding style.

Mediatrice, Liberatha, Libby, Juliette, Cecile and Chantel.

The wedding cake and decorations (colored lighting is magic) were beautiful.

Eric gives good hugs.

What an exciting month for Urukundo!

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Graduation Special

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Graduation at Urukundo Foundation / Urukundo Learning Center.July 2022.

We started off with practice on the basketball court in early July.

Band and Marching unit in practice.

Adding the school band to the graduation ceremony is exciting for the kids. 

The day finally arrives July 22nd, 2022.

Trucks bring tents and chairs and the setup work begins.

A platform was constructed for the band with a cover. 5 hours in the direct sun would have been bad for the students, their director, and instruments. Band set up ready to work. 

Primary students anticipate a very special day. Are we ready? Yes, we are.

Urukundo Students wow! A vision to behold.

I marvel at the growth in numbers, from past graduations with about 15 graduates to the present graduation with 117 graduates. More children are receiving an education every year. Because you care, Urukundo is making a difference.

Kindergarden

Ready for a march to the football field for the ceremony.

Primary 6

Primary 6 graduates are all set to follow Kindergarten graduates.

Jubilation

The march begins to the football field. Primary 1 and parents on the march. We honor our neighbors with a parade.

P2 students parade.

P3 you can see the age difference.

P4 in Sports clothes.

P5 our future 2023 graduates.

The sewing Center graduates complete the marching line.

P6 and Sewing Center grads strut their stuff.

Through the main gate of Urukundo Village.

The parade continues. 

We have arrived.

New this year.

A bandstand and a wonderful band and director Emmanuel.

Our own band instruments.  We are still renting the sound system. 

Violins

Drums

Piano

Guitar

Presenting for our parents and friends.

Precision marching.

Saluting the honored guests as they pass,  A Rwandan tradition.

Music is essential. Chorus is accompanied by music supplied by the learning center band.

Primary 6 leads the National  Anthem. 

A special moment for a little sister 

Older brother is graduating and leaving the school. He will be missed by his young sister who is also a student. The two of them sharing a song together touched my heart..

Traditional  Music.

Girls, traditional dancing.

Traditional Dance. Boys and Girls. 

Honored guests, even me. Urukundo’s Headmaster, Viateur, Mama, and Olive, Mama’s assistant. 

Urukundo Director Jean Marie, Jeanne d’arc executive secretariat Kinihira sector / Ruhango District, and Oswald the President of the Urukundo National Board were among the honored guests.

Daniel Habyarimana. Director of Education for Muhanga District was the guest speaker of the day.

Awards were given to outstanding students.

Best student Albertine Tuyishime Uwase at Sewing School. 

Director of Music gives award to Primary One student Luc Hategekimana who plays the piano in the band.

Awards for best grades from P1 to P6  were given to these 6 students.

There were many more awards given.

I was privileged to be the mom when Claudine was given a special award. Claudine received an award as an outstanding student.

Claudine receiving her special award.

On presenting Claudine’s award, headmaster Viatiur said Claudine has proven that disability is not an inability.

Claudine is our only graduate from Urukundo Home for Children this year.  Claudine is family.

We are Claudine’s family. Her Mama, Claudine, Chantel her Urukundo Auntie, Seraphine her older Urukundo sister.

Claudine's advisor Libby, Claudine, and Olive, Mama’s assistant.

A presentation by the Sewing Center students.

Fashions for special occasions.

An everyday dress can be elegant with matching head dress. Men's shirts are part of the tailoring program. 

Stylish jackets enhance any outfit.

Knee-length attire is now in fashion.

Perfect for a dinner date.

The Sewing Center students learn the basics of sewing & tailoring, learn to create designs, and are willing to model what they feel are their best creations. 

Each student received a sewing starter kit. Their teacher Epiphanie and Headmaster Viateur assisted me in presenting the gifts.

In conclusion, thank you for taking the graduation journey with me. I hope it gives you pleasure and a good look at what Urukundo Foundation with your help is able to provide for the students in our school.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL GRADUATES.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Ok, When is it my turn?  The future in his eyes.

Wonderful group photo. Love it.