School year 2020-21 was ending. A reading competition for kids in P1-P3 took place.
Winners got balloons, books and lollipops.
Graduation at last
While we wait for the National Exam results, we have our own graduation celebration. All children from preschool to Primary 6 and the Sewing Center students invite their parents and friends to come and see what they have learned in the past year.
The day starts very early at the school. Kids and parents gathered with the graduates at the school for the walk to the main road and up the street to the Urukundo main gate and then to the site set up for the graduation.
The march from the school to the site of graduation is a spectacular parade.
Blue and gold are the colors of the kindergarten graduates.
Awesome sight. What a parade! The graduates sing as they march to Mama’s gate. They enter and proceed to the soccer field where many tents are erected to protect guests from the sun and possible rain. This is the rainy season, you know.
We were blessed with a no rain day.
Primary 6 in caps and gowns. Each group has different colors. Black and green is Primary 6.
It is about one city block on the main road from the road to the school to Mama’s gate. Neighbors come out to watch and cheer the graduates on.
Sewing Center students bring up the rear. We are so proud of these young adults and their accomplishments. White and blue really stand out. One of the school projects is to make their own caps and gowns. They did a good job.
Entering mama’s gate. Teachers walk with the kids.
Greeting Mama and Pastor Yves. What joy! Until last year, I walked with the children and loved it. It is hard for me to not join the march, but age has a way of slowing us down. So I wait at my home gate and greet the students as they enter. I am honored to have Pastor Yves there with me, also greeting the kids.
Older grads wait while kindergarten kids are seated. It is quite a process. My home is in the background.
I do walk from my home to the celebration and make a grand entrance.
Left to right: guests of honor were Fortune Mukagatana, Muhanga vice mayor of social affairs; Florence Marie Uwanyirigira, Rwanda Parliament deputy; myself; my assistant, Olive Nyiracumi; Clare Effiong, leader of Esther’s Aid Culinary Arts School; Jean Marie Ntwari, executive director of the Urukundo Foundation, and Angelique Westmark, a volunteer from Germany.
What an interesting group! We were honored.
The Primary 6 graduates of last year were special guests.
Our university students came to support the younger students and to share in the program.
It was such a thrill for me to see so many of our university students arriving. They seldom are home together, so it was special for them also.
What a group!
This year at graduation we featured the development of the music program, starting with the All School Chorus.
The All School Chorus led us in the national anthem
Music is appreciated in our school. Being able to introduce music to our students is such a blessing.
This young girl learned to play the keyboard. This is an accomplishment worth doing.
African drums and guitar add to the music program and are so special. Drums are a part of the culture.
These drums were rented for the occasion. Some day we will purchase our own. They can be purchased here in Rwanda. We encourage both types of drums as great musical instruments.
Our orchestra is made up of flutes and violins. Wonderful music was presented by our own students. Parents were impressed. More instruments are needed.
Last but not least in the music program, our children respect their heritage and learn cultural singing and dancing.
We are very proud of our progress in developing the music program.
Developing an art program is next on the agenda.
This group is amazing.
Precision marchers from Primary 4 and Primary 5
In sync
Certificates were presented to kindergarten graduates. Each was signed by Mama and Headmaster.
Primary 6 students receive certificates after National exams. The Sewing Center certificates also are given at a later time.
The Tom Nunnally award for an outstanding student in the Sewing Center went to 22-year-old Germaine Iradukunda. This award is given each year by the Forest Hills Rotary Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, in honor of deceased Rotarian Tom Nunnally.
Presenting the award is head of the sewing center, Theresa Mukabanana, and Florence from Rwanda Parliament.
It is difficult to get a really good group picture of all the graduates, but we tried.
Textbooks for students
Every child having a textbook for every subject taught at Urukundo Learning Center is our goal.
A gift was received from friends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to purchase textbooks for our Primary 6 students. It is so exciting to have real books to study from.
In time, all six grades will be so blessed.
Counting our blessings every day.
Social studies teacher Tricelle and her students enjoy textbooks and puzzles provided for her class.
Science teacher Fidele is excited about new material to present to his class along with the textbooks.
First school term ends
The first term has ended. Exams are over. Children are waiting for their report cards.
It is an exciting time as a two-week holiday begins and secondary school brothers and sisters come home.
Please keep Urukundo and all our kids in prayer. We continue to pray for you.
Our Response to the World of Technology
A SMALL START BUT A BEGINNING. There is room for 4 computers and a teacher. Still looking for good used computers. Willing and ready to expand this program.
Renovation Finished
The work to have Primary 3 ready for the kids by January 6 was completed.
New on campus
A photo shoot through the new Glascow Center for the Arts.
Starting at the main entrance. This is the performing arts and drama area.
Our Dancers, Story Tellers, Artists and Musicians will use the area to display their talents and the work they have done to an admiring parents and classmates.
Sitting area our audience. Benches are placed for seating. The area can also be used for small meetings or just for reading after having visited the library.
The music instruments available for our kids.
We would welcome used usable instruments you may have in the attic that your kids tried and put aside. We could use some small guitars. I didn’t know they made them but I am told they do. The big one is too big for our kids.
We also would like donations so that we can purchase native instruments to preserve the culture of authentic African music.
Graduation
70 children graduated from Kindergaten at Urukundo Learning Center on October 25, 2014. What a glorious day it was.
All students and parents preparing for the Parade.
The march from the school to the site of the ceremony was awesome
This scene takes place along the road for the neighbors to witness our graduates, students and parents. They made a very long line.
The parade coming in at my gate.
Very serious.
Our guest of honor was GASPARD RUTEGESHA from the board of education in the Cyeza Sector. He took part by shaking hands and giving each child a certificate.
I felt very short today, my five foot one next to this six foot 7 gentleman. It's a good thing I was sitting down.
He was our honored guest and main speaker.
The president of Urukundo Foundation's Board of Directors Hildebrand Kanzira spoke, encouraging the children and their parents to place much value on education.
Even I added my 2 cents' worth, using the back of a chair for support.
A first at our graduation celebration: the music and art department presented a program for our entertainment. Bono the music teacher traveled from Kigali to be here for this occasion. Bono is from the Kigali School of Music and teaches twice a week at Urukundo Learning Center.
Intore translated means 'an all-boy dance team'. The boys did a great job. Keeping the culture alive for the children is so important.
The girl dancers were not to be outdone and we were delighted.
Diplomas were held high.
I have so many wonderful pictures it was hard to decide which would give you a clear picture of the event in the lives of the children and the program you are making possible by your gifts and donations.
Thank you for helping make a difference.
Urukundo Learning Center
Last month desks were delivered, and in December our chairs arrived. Arranging the new classrooms and interviewing and hiring 3 new teachers are all part of preparing for the 2014 school year.
A very busy time at the Center. School begins January 6 which is early this year.
The School
Summer classes in English. We are trying something new! Urukundo Learning Center offered English class for 2 hours Monday through Friday for children from our home, our school and the community. These kids are 6 - 7 year olds.
This holiday in Rwanda is a 3 month holiday much like the summer shutdown for schools in the US and other countries.
Progress at school
Furniture for Primary 2 class rooms.
The desks have been delivered. Chairs to be delivered the end of November. Picture next month.
Desks stacked.