October Newsletter

As promised, I present to you the “talking wall” at Urukundo Learning Center.

I hope you enjoy it as much as our students do.

Artwork on the preschool wall.

The wall is a retaining and protecting wall, so it extends the length of five classrooms.

Lots of space and this artwork is a good use of the area.

It is a teaching tool as well as art and fun. Our kids call it “the talking wall.”

Please take note of the beautiful view we have standing and looking over the wall.

On entering the school campus, the first wall teaches numbers and letters. I love it. What do you think?

Urukundo Children at play.

School days

Domestic animals. Of these, we have cows, pigs, chickens and a dog.

African animals

Vegetables, grown and served in Rwanda.

Fruits, fresh and full of flavor.

Utensils we use.

Transportation, other familiar objects and consonants.

Shapes

Letters, both Vowels & consonants.

Standing on the walkway looking at the wall art and enjoying the view beyond our compound. Great Photo.

Our beautiful Rwanda

Divine on a journey

Divine is on a journey.

Saying goodbye is not easy. We will miss her, but she will be back in a year. Experience is the best teacher, and this journey will be an educational experience for her.

Divine is on her way to Germany for a year of special training in entrepreneurship. Our prayers and best wishes go with her.

Worship

Pastor Yves and co-pastor Chantel had the pleasure of presenting Bibles to our two P6 graduates during the worship service.

Presenting Bibles

Sunday School resumes

In 2020, all group gatherings were stopped to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In late 2021, groups were allowed to meet with distancing and masks, but children under age 12 were not allowed to be in those gatherings. Now it is 2022, and we rejoice. Our young children are again in our midst. Sunday School resumed as a part of our worship.

This was our first Sunday School since covid stopped all children under age 12 from coming to worship.

It was so great to welcome the children back.

Sunday School must have a teacher. We welcome and thank teacher Donatille.

New school year

The 2022-23 school year opened at Urukundo Learning Center and in all of Rwanda.

First day at school, 3-year-old, separation problems.

Leaving mama is the hard part.

First day of school, 4-year-olds, no separation problem. What a difference a year makes!

Many young minds will be stimulated as our new school year begins. I like this quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Our motto for all students is: “ Do your best, to be your best.”

Mama

Graduation

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!

Graduation Special

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.

May 2022 Newsletter: Advocating education

The focus of this May newsletter is a journey in our library.

A school library should be a place where children want to go and experience learning through reading and activities. Urukundo Learning Center’s library is such a place.

Library in action.

Train leaving the station. All aboard.

This train goes to the library where we will meet librarian Assumpta and assistant Viateur, who is a teacher, to keep us on track.

Assumpta and Viateur lending a hand.

Reading and being read to are, of course, first and foremost on our journey.

Reading materials, research materials and teaching materials are available for both children and teachers.

Library books are so important for all age groups.

A good area for study and research is also important in a library.

Along with the academic aspect, we also use visual and hands-on learning.

Preschoolers and numbers. Magic with a whiteboard easel.

Domestic animals, life on a farm and tractors are new concepts, but learning ones.

From domestic animals to African safari animals to the vehicles used are exciting.

Teachers get educated on different animals and vehicles and how hands-on can be a fun way to teach.

Moving on

Hard hats and jackets are worn as we learn about construction. The person in the white hat is Carol Falke, president of the Hope Made Real International Board.

Building as construction workers or just kids with a dream, our kids get to test their imaginations with different construction materials.

A new kind of car?

Bendable parts and an imagination.

Tinkertoys

Now to the domestic angle.

Shopping, cooking and eating.

Dressing up to go shopping.

Shopping carts are necessary.

Pizza, cupcakes or cookies, anyone?

Vegetables and fruits make a healthier diet.

Let’s cook.

Time to set the table. Let's eat.

Now we pretend to eat a delicious meal. Imagination and pretend make a delightful experience.

Creative educational toys make our library a place of enjoyment while learning takes place.

Creating objects with Play-Doh is a step toward life skills.

Pottery is good practice.

This one with flowers added is unique.

Play-Doh can also be used to make animals. There is just no end to ideas.

Students come home

Our university kids still come home for rest, food and fun. It was so good to spend a few days with Lilliane.

Carol on a mission

First stop, the daycare. A few new toys and an infant safety zone were on the agenda.

Head teacher getting a baby's eye view of hanging toys and a mirror.

Now the babies get a turn.

Baby accepts the whole idea. Hanging animals are a delight.

Manager Anitha introduces the babies in daycare to something new.

Next on Carol's mission was the Urukundo Learning Center and the handwashing station inside the school gate.

Greeting teachers is also important.

Just the beginning of Carol's journey at the Urukundo Foundation. More in the May newsletter.

March Newsletter

The storms have stopped. For how long we are not sure. The weather pattern in Rwanda has changed, so we don’t know what to expect anymore.

National Board meeting

With pleasure, we welcomed the National Board of Directors of Urukundo Foundation at its annual board meeting.

Our president, Oswalde Ruremesha, presented the accomplishments completed in 2021, and the hopes and goals for 2022. Those goals include two preschool classrooms, moving the dental clinic to the new location nearer the road, adding orthodontia to the dental service and refurbishing the kitchen. Big goals. Funding needed. God in charge.

February 2022 newsletter

Share the love month

The first visitors in Urukundo’s new residence were Margie and Bruce Krogh from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. They are former residents of Kigali, Rwanda, and friends to Urukundo Village and Learning Center.

Arriving on a Saturday evening, Bruce was the logical speaker for the Sunday morning service. Divine (one of my university graduates) acted as a translator in both English and Kinyarwanda.

Divine and Bruce at the worship service.

The women’s choir sang and danced praises.

Pastor Yves and Bruce served communion.

The congregation was so pleased to have these special visitors.

On Monday, the Kroghs visited the school.

Margie and Bruce got acquainted with new headmaster Viateur.

Visiting the classrooms was on the agenda.

Witnessing a reading group in the library proved to be a special event.

Margie's passion is the music program at Urukundo Learning Center. She has long been a monthly contributor supporting music for kids.

Emmanuel, head of the music program, gives Margie some pointers.

The violin section and the chorus entertained our guests.

Not to be outdone, the guitars, the drums and keyboards joined in. They presented quite a concert.

Truly it was the highlight of Margie’s visit.

I was so excited to see them when they came that I forgot the camera. No incoming photo. I decided to get a photo as they were leaving after their visit. OK, so it is a bit in reverse. Not the usual. They have promised to return before going back to the USA. I look forward to that visit.

New headmaster

The New Year has started off with changes at Urukundo Learning Center.

It is with regret and best wishes that Urukundo bids farewell to Headmaster Irene Dushimimana as he moves on to another position, advancing in his career of choice.

We welcome the new headmaster and his administrative staff: Dean of Education Theogene Niyonshima, Dean of Discipline Anuirite Mukeshimana, Headmaster Viateur Ngiruwonsanga and Secretary Adeline Mutuyimama.