In Urukundo Village, work continues. The new residence construction and Hope House renovations are now taking place.
It’s reassuring to know the members of Urukundo staff are quite capable on their own.
March 2021 Newsletter
Vaccinations!
Urukundo certainly marched into March with gusto. What an exciting month!
The first week in March will live in my memory. This was the week Rwanda received the Covid-19 vaccine. The first vaccine was to be distributed to health centers on March 5, with the first vaccinations to be given on March 6.
Not being a Rwandan with just my passport for ID, I was not on any listing to receive it. I understood that I would have to make contact, I then would be added, and it would take weeks or maybe months before I would receive notice to go to a health center to be vaccinated.
I had no problem with that. There are so many who are in greater danger.
Much to my surprise at 6 a.m. the very next morning, I received a text telling me I should appear at the Kivumu Health Center that very day (March 6) and the vaccine would be given to me. As is normal, I was being given special treatment. This time, I was grateful for it. Most times, I resent being shown preferential treatment.
Covid-19 vaccine administered in Kivumu in the Cyeza sector on March 6.
Sorry to say I had a very bad reaction to the vaccine two weeks to the day, but knowing travel will never be possible unless you have the vaccine, I am glad I received it and I encourage others to receive it also. It is time to return to sharing hugs and kisses. The vaccine, masks and love make that possible.
Coronavirus update
The pandemic is still with us in Rwanda as it is in the rest of the world, but things are looking better. We were notified our 10 university kids would return to classes on Oct. 21. That happened. The Primary 5 and 6 levels will start school on Nov. 2. Primary 4 classes will start on Nov. 23. This is, I hope, good news. No word yet on Preschool and Primary 1 through 3. Maybe January 2021.
Covid-19 restrictions are still in place. Masks, distancing and washing hands will be maintained in our school. We do not want to invite the coronavirus to our school. Keeping children and teachers safe has to be a priority. Transporting the children to and from school by bus and providing the school lunch program will be challenging. We had hoped to have the new bigger dining room constructed and ready. Work in progress.
Sisters come home
University students Giselle and Cecelia came home for a visit before starting back to university on Oct. 21. It was good to see them. This was the first visit in some time because the coronavirus shutdown had stopped all public transportation from Kigali, where they live, to Urukundo Village in Muhanga, South Province. It is surely too far to walk.
Umuganda
For us, this is Step 1 to opening the country.
After three months of not moving around, our kids did Umuganda (cleanup day) inside the compound.
They loved being outside and roaming around. There was not much to pick up as school has not been in session. Just a fun day.
Although the country has not yet taken steps to have a national cleanup day, it seemed a good idea inside the village.
Umuganda is a national day for citizens to keep Rwanda clean. This is held the last Saturday of every month. It was put on hold when the coronavirus struck and such activities were discontinued. I am sure this is temporary.
Finishing the month of May with a day to work together was great as the university students returned to Kigali June 1. We miss them.
University students joined Claude, Soso and Claudine in a cleanup event.
Celebrating Easter
Palm Sunday has been set with tradition at Urukundo. The branches on this plant were stripped, thorns removed and preparations were made for the morning service.
Last year, in 2019, the children walked to the Worship Center, waving the palm branches and singing.
Because of the virus, this year was different. The plant was not denuded, and I watched with fascination as this new growth appeared. This is the plant on April 12.
Waiting to see what will develop. This new life may be our symbol of the new hope of life given for us on the cross.
Watching the change taking place. OK, I think a good pastime during shutdown is watching a plant grow. This is the plant on April 25. How exciting can that be?
Mama’s book alert
I look forward to when the book “Hope Made Real” is published and I can come to the USA to share it with you. I will be available for book signing and sharing my favorite passages. Bookings later.
Hoping it will be in the fall or early spring. A lot depends on this very contagious virus. In the meantime, I would like to share excerpts I feel appropriate with you.
It seems this segment from Page 112 about a time when I was a speaker in the worship service fits well with April and the Easter season:
While I was still serving as the speaker, a special Sunday in April was a challenge. Each April the country sets aside a time of remembrance for those who died during the genocide. It is such a sad time for the Rwandese. By government decree, there are to be no festivities or celebrations during the entire month of April. Weddings and parties are taboo. Singing and dancing are prohibited.
Yet, every four years this mournful national observance falls at the same time as the Christian celebration of Easter. My kids and the worshipping community look forward to the fun and joy of Easter morning. The older girls practice for weeks to present a traditional dance and the children’s choirs practice new selections. This year we had to tell the children that none of this was allowed. The younger ones could not understand the reasoning for this gloom.
As luck would have it, I was to give the Sunday message. I tossed and turned all night deciding what I could say that would respect the Rwandan observance of remembrance yet still celebrate the risen Christ of Easter. The next morning rising up from my chair in the front row and stepping up onto the platform here is the essence of what I said.
“This morning we, with our country, feel sad for people who died during a very troubled time. None of you children had been born yet, but it is important for you to know what happened and to honor those who died. We also feel happy because it is Easter when we celebrate the risen Christ. None of those living today were born when that happened either. We can feel both sad and happy at the same time; sad for those who died, and happy to celebrate Easter. We grieve for what is lost and rejoice for what is gained.”
Thank goodness, as I sat down the children rescued me by launching into the song, Because He Lives in English and then in Kinyarwanda. I was so pleased. Afterwards, the service ended in silence and everyone departed quietly.
Proud of Urukundo employee
Executive Director Jean Marie Ntwari not only serves Urukundo; he also is a leader in the Boy Scouts of Rwanda.
His title is "Secretary of the Audit Committee in the Association of Scouts.”
Construction
How do you move a pile of rocks in a construction project at Urukundo?
These women have it under control.
Not an easy job.
After building a wall, what do we use these smaller chipped rocks for?
We use them as a base for the floor in the new classrooms. Nothing is wasted, not even chips of stones.
Precious Faces
Mother's love shines through.
Preschool is a test of strength for little girls. Contemplating the world.
Sports day requires special clothes. Special energy.
Smiles of our students. Even half smiles are precious.
OK, so not a student. Playdough is such fun.
Soso thinks so.
I share my favorite photo for March with you. What a joy to hold this precious baby!
September 2018 Newsletter
Dear Sponsors and Friends of Urukundo,
This message is the most difficult I have ever written.
A ruling from the government has thrown us into grief and difficult readjustments. Please bear with us as we cope and adjust to this government ruling. Many tears have been shed.
For five years, we have fought this event, but it has finally become a reality for the Urukundo Foundation. The Rwanda government has decided all orphanages and homes for children must close. This rule is across the board, no exceptions. The government is requiring us to close our children’s home, calling it an institution.
This does not in any way affect Urukundo Learning Center. Urukundo Foundation is, as always, dedicated to providing education for those from low- or no-income families. The school now has 702 community children in preschool and through Primary 6 classes. Enrollment will increase to over 800 in 2019.
Our secondary students and university youth also are not affected by this directive. And we will continue to grow and benefit many needy children in our community.
But the 25 younger children are being moved from their Urukundo home to be placed with biological parents, or, if there are no parents, in foster homes or with extended biological families. All are expected to be placed after the end of the 2018 school year in December.
So far five of the children have been moved. They are Jason, Nelly, Kenny, Kenilla and Kaboss. As arrangements were made, we have notified their sponsors and asked for their continued support for school expenses, medical insurance and emergencies.
Thirteen others still live with us but have been assigned to move in December. They are Jennette, Aline, Kevine, David, Sarah, Rebekah, Jacob, Claude II, Prince, Benitha, Yves, Isaiah and Livine. Still waiting to be assigned new families are Johnny, Egide, Luki, Soso, Claude I, Diane and Claudine. We are hoping all will be allowed to remain here until after Christmas when the older kids in secondary school and university are home to share the love with them.
To say I am OK with this would not be true. My heart is breaking.
The good news is the National Children's Commission has agreed that Urukundo will not lose the children. They will go to school wherever they live with their families but will come home to Urukundo to visit on school breaks. Urukundo is trying to cooperate with the government to make the transition easier for our children.
We will have final approval of the foster families. We also have permission to monitor the children in school and in their new homes. Our child advocate Olive is visiting them at their homes and in their schools on an ongoing basis.
Those placed near our school will continue to attend school here at the Urukundo Learning Center. Urukundo is paying school fees, equipment needed for school, medical insurance and any emergency conditions. These payments will go to school and medical facility bank accounts in the area where they live, not to the families.This assures us the children are in school and cared for.
For those who sponsor individual children, it is our hope you will continue to care for the child you have loved. Your support will allow us to continue caring for the basic needs of your child and our dependent children.
With your help we will continue to support and protect our Urukundo family children. Without your help, this will not be possible.
Please pray with and for us and all the children as they prepare for this difficult transition.
We also ask that God will give all of our children, staff and older brothers and sisters peace and healing for our broken hearts.
Mama Arlene
Rain has risks
The rainy season has started and some people of our Urukundo family are still living in high-risk zones. Please pray that they will be able to repair their houses or build new ones in areas where they will have access to clean water and electricity. These include the homes of Libby, our cleaner manager; Pastor Yves; and the family of Juliette, our human resources person.