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

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.

A field trip for students

The best for last. What a blessing they are!

A week after the daycare kids came to visit Mama’s new residence, the second preschool class arrived for their visit.

Visiting Mama’s house is such fun both for the children and for m

Cultural art for art's sake. Love these kids.

Pastor Yves joined the kids. Each student enjoyed a cookie along with the tour.

Singing “Jesus Loves Me.”. See video.

Kindergarten kids travel back to class with teachers Jovia and Solange.

Volleyball

Our girls reached the semifinals of the volleyball competition. This is a great accomplishment for Urukundo Learning Center. Sorry to say they were eliminated in the semifinals.

We toasted their success in reaching the semifinals with juice.

Precious faces

These are just a few of the precious faces we enjoy at Urukundo daycare and Urukundo Learning Center.

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.

Homecoming

Time to fly home

Now it is time for another covid test. Yep, I am still negative. I can fly home.

In all, 18 suitcases flew with me. Seventeen made it on Dec. 6. Suitcase No. 18 arrived on Dec. 13 intact. Just seven days late. We are blessed that it arrived.

After a day in a Kigali hotel waiting for negative covid results, I finally reached home. What a welcome! Village staff, teachers, pastor and administrators joined the little kids.

The kitchen crew and several of the cleaners joined in the welcome.

Artwork by my kids. This poster hangs in my bedroom. Love it.

More employee visitors

Teachers gathered in my living room. There were so many in my living room that it takes two photos.

I needed a group photo with the teachers. What a wonderful group! Such talent!

Awards Day

Awards Day at Urukundo Learning Center also was Dec. 3.

Auditorium packed to overflowing. So awesome!

Our music program continues to grow. Young musicians are appreciated.

Achieving success is encouraged. Doing your best is our criteria.

End of the first term of 2021-22 achievement awards.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way. Here are some of the awards:

Parent Committee President Nsekuye Basile gave an award to Isingizwe Happy Vanessa in P5.

Dean of Studies Niyonshima Theogene gave an award to Mugisha Mucyo Samuel in P4.

School secretary Adeline Mutuyimana gave an award to Akariza Giramata Soumaya in P5.

Teacher Dushime Nshimiyimana Remy Paul gave an award to Irakoze Karabo Noella in P6.

We are very proud of our students and our teachers who lead the way.